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Will FBI agents be trading in their guns and handcuffs for armbars and choke holds?

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The offensive and defensive techniques of the Octagon may be the way of the future for FBI prospects after the government organization and the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced what they touted as a “historic” training seminar slated to be held next week in Quantico, Va.

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On Wednesday, the UFC said it has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to hold a training course on March 14 and 15 at the FBI Special Agent Academy. The seminar is open to academy students and senior FBI staff.

Select UFC fighters, along with matchmaker Mick Maynard, will share their knowledge on how they train for fights with specific moves and tactics, offering a “unique perspective to the students as they prepare to enter the field office,” according to a media release.

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Which fighters are involved?

The UFC will be bringing a number of championship-calibre fighters to teach the FBI crew.

The mixed martial artists-turned-teachers include: current interim UFC lightweight champ Justin Gaethje, first-ever UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former strawweight title contender Claudia Gadelha, ex-lightweight contender Michael Chandler, flyweight fighter Manel Kape, and MMA legend Renzo Gracie.

The partnership between the UFC and the FBI is part of an initiative by the latter to provide its agents with new training options while also revamping and improving their preparation tactics, the media release noted.

What Kash Patel and Dana White said

FBI Director Kash Patel said the seminar is a “tremendous” opportunity for FBI agents to learn and train with the “greatest athletes on earth” while helping the “world’s premier law enforcement agency” to be better prepared to help protect Americans.

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“We are grateful for their (UFC) shared love of our nation, so that we can better defend her,” Patel said in a media release.

UFC head Dana White echoed Patel’s sentiments, stating he has “tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country.”

“Our UFC fighters are some of the baddest men and women on the planet and they are heading to Quantico to train the best FBI agents in mixed martial arts,” said White. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes to experience, and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defence techniques.”

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