UFC President Dana White is calling for mixed martial arts (MMA) training to play a bigger role in law enforcement, arguing that it could lead to safer, more effective policing.
In a recent interview, White said that law enforcement officers should be better equipped with hand-to-hand combat skills, and he believes MMA offers the best training for real-life encounters. “If you want to de-escalate situations, control suspects without deadly force, and keep everyone safe — MMA is the answer,” he said.
White, who has overseen the growth of the UFC into a global sports powerhouse, says police departments across the country should adopt structured MMA-based training programs, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and boxing. He pointed to examples where officers trained in these disciplines were able to subdue suspects without resorting to excessive force.
The call comes amid ongoing national conversations about police reform, use of force, and community trust. While critics of aggressive policing have called for de-escalation and non-lethal alternatives, White argues that martial arts training aligns with those goals. “The better trained the officer, the less likely they are to panic or use unnecessary force,” he said.
Some police departments have already begun incorporating jiu-jitsu or other martial arts into their training regimens, with early results showing promise in reducing injuries for both officers and suspects.
White also noted that martial arts training builds discipline, control, and confidence — qualities he believes every officer should possess. “We’re not talking about turning cops into fighters,” he clarified. “We’re talking about giving them the tools to do their jobs more safely.”
Though the idea remains controversial in some circles, it’s gaining traction as part of a broader push to modernize police training across the U.S.
