From the Octagon to Quantico: UFC teaching the FBI to fight is its latest tie to Trump world

The FBI appears poised to give the UFC an exclusive contract to teach its agents hand-to-hand combat, deepening the fighting organization's ties to the Trump administration. The Guardian reports that a federal form filed in September lets the bureau skip competing bids, on the grounds that the UFC is "uniquely qualified." The arrangement would last one year, with any longer commitment going to competitive bidding after market research. The payment amount has not been disclosed.

The deal follows a two-day session in March at the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia, where about 300 agents and trainees worked with seven current and former fighters, among them ex-middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Director Kash Patel praised UFC chief executive Dana White for the partnership.

The UFC has long been a Trump ally. White has campaigned for the president in three races, and owner Ari Emanuel once served as Trump's agent. The promotion made a Trump documentary, held an event at the White House, and took defense-tech firm Anduril on as a sponsor, while the administration struck a sports diplomacy agreement with the State Department.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →