UFC Signs Sports Diplomacy Deal with U.S. State Department

The UFC has signed a sports diplomacy partnership with the U.S. Department of State that will deploy fighters and coaches as international ambassadors for mixed martial arts.

Dana White and Secretary of State Marco Rubio finalized the memorandum of understanding on June 11 in Washington, per the promotion's official announcement. The agreement calls for UFC personnel to participate in the State Department's Sports Envoy Program, leading training clinics and mentorship sessions for young athletes worldwide.

UFC Freedom 250 Marks First White House MMA Event

The signing came during fight week for UFC Freedom 250, which took place June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations. The card marked the first MMA event ever staged at the White House.

UFC Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein said the promotion was eager to join the initiative. "We're excited to join this program, led by Secretary Rubio, as UFC is a truly global organization with athletes representing 75 countries," he said in the announcement. "We can't wait to get started later this year."

The partnership will use the promotion's international reach to drive cultural exchange opportunities through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Rubio noted that the sport's global growth stems from values that extend beyond competition. "UFC has become a global phenomenon by embracing values that resonate far beyond the Octagon: excellence, discipline, opportunity, and meritocracy," he said.

The agreement places UFC alongside other American sports organizations supporting the State Department's public diplomacy work during the Decade of Sport in America. The first envoy deployments are expected to begin later in 2025.

Source: ufc.com