From the Octagon to Quantico: UFC teaching the FBI to fight is its latest tie to Trump world
The FBI is moving toward an exclusive contract with the UFC to provide hand-to-hand combat training for federal agents. This partnership follows a series of high-profile training seminars and highlights the deepening ties between the UFC and the Trump administration.
Why it matters
The outsourcing of federal law enforcement training to a private sports organization raises questions about institutional independence and the influence of political allies on government agencies.
Justin Gaethje was among the UFC fighters present at a training seminar for the FBI. Photograph: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Justin Gaethje was among the UFC fighters present at a training seminar for the FBI. Photograph: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC UFC From the Octagon to Quantico: UFC teaching the FBI to fight is its latest tie to Trump world The mixed martial arts organization has had links to the US president for years. Now it could be involved in training federal agents
Prefer the Guardian on Google I n the lead-up to UFC Freedom 250 – the cagefighting spectacle that took place on the South Lawn of the White House to mark Donald Trump’s 80th birthday this past summer – the FBI announced that a handful of UFC fighters would visit the bureau for an exclusive training seminar for federal agents.
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