The United States government has entered into a public-private partnership with the mixed martial arts company Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to use combat sports as a tool for diplomacy.

The Department of State announced the agreement in a statement on Thursday following the signing of the memorandum of understanding by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC President Dana White in Washington.  

“The U.S. Department of State announced today a new public-private partnership with UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) to advance sports diplomacy initiatives and develop educational programming related to mixed martial arts,” statement said. 

It added, “Recognising sports as a powerful tool of diplomacy, the partnership leverages UFC’s global platform to engage key audiences, enhance cultural exchange programs through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and promote values such as discipline, perseverance, sportsmanship, and excellence.”

The signing of the partnership was part of activities lined up for UFC Freedom 250, a fight night, scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14 in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. 

“UFC athletes and coaches will serve as sports ambassadors through the Department of State’s Sports Envoy program, which will include leading training clinics for young international athletes.  Through this partnership, 

“UFC will join other major American sports organisations  and the American private sector in coordinating with the Department on major sporting and public diplomacy efforts during the Decade of Sport in America,” the state department added. 

The bouts scheduled for the event include IIia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje (Lightweight), Alex Pereira vs Cyril Gane (Heavyweight) ame Sean O’Malley vs Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight) 

Others are Mauricio Ruffy vs Michael Chandler (Lightweight), Bo Nickal vs Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight), Diego Lopes vs Steve Garcia (Featherweight) and Josh Hokit vs Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight).