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UFC and U.S. State Department sign sports diplomacy partnership

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 3:19 AM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

UFC and U.S. State Department sign sports diplomacy partnership

Summary

UFC CEO Dana White and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the State Department on June 12, 2026. This partnership aims to leverage the popularity of mixed martial arts for sports diplomacy, anticipated to enhance international operations and marketing for the UFC. Rubio emphasized the role of MMA in uniting diverse individuals across various backgrounds. White expressed gratitude for the support and outlined plans to expand into new global markets, facilitated by this agreement. The deal has received criticism regarding potential conflicts of interest, particularly concerning financial ties to President Donald Trump.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Dana White and Marco Rubio signed the partnership on June 12.
•The agreement promotes mixed martial arts as a tool for diplomacy.
•UFC aims to simplify international operations through government support.
•Critics raise concerns about conflicts of interest related to President Trump.

Latest Updates

3:19 AMYahoo Sports — UFC announces global sports diplomacy partnership with U.S. State Department

What they're saying

"
In a development that has forever merged the worlds of combat sports and international affairs, UFC CEO Dana White and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding at the State Department headquarters. Dana White doesn't approve of steady growth and instead ...
— Yahoo Sports

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