UFC & US State Department Announce Historic Partnership | Sec. Marco Rubio & Dana White

UFC and US State Department Make History: A New Era of Sports Diplomacy The United States State Department and the UFC have officially joined forces in a groundbreaking sports diplomacy partnership. In this historic press conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UFC CEO Dana White, and UFC COO Lawrence Epstein break down how mixed martial arts serves as a universal language that bridges cultural divides. Discover how the UFC embodies the American ideals of grit and meritocracy, and get the first details on an unprecedented, upcoming UFC event set against the backdrop of the White House to celebrate America's 250th anniversary! Key Moments & Timestamps: 00:03 The Power of Sports Diplomacy 03:16 UFC's Global Footprint with Lawrence Epstein 05:43 The Universal Language of Fighting with Dana White 07:23 The American Ideal: Sec. Marco Rubio Speaks 09:30 The "United Nations of Fighting" 10:34 The Power of Convening in a Polarized World 11:45 Sec. Rubio Praises UFC Athletes 13:48 Historic White House UFC Event Announced! Key Points and Timestamps | Timestamp | Speaker & Topic | | --- | --- | | *00:03* | *The Power of Sports Diplomacy:* A State Department official opens the briefing, explaining how sports act as a universal stand-in for combat and naturally bring people together. The UFC is highlighted as a perfect fit for diplomacy due to its global fighting styles and embodiment of American meritocracy. | | *03:16* | *UFC's Global Footprint:* UFC COO Lawrence Epstein emphasizes the organization's worldwide reach, noting it hosts 43 events annually with fighters representing over 75 countries, acting as a bridge between diverse cultures. | | *05:43* | *The Universal Language of Fighting:* UFC CEO Dana White speaks about the company's humble beginnings 25 years ago and his core belief that fighting is in human DNA, making it universally understood across all languages and borders. | | *07:23* | *The American Ideal:* Secretary of State Marco Rubio explains why the State Department chose to partner with the UFC. He compares the company's audacious rise from an unregulated spectacle to a global powerhouse with America's foundational spirit of achieving the impossible. | | *09:30* | *The "United Nations of Fighting":* Rubio highlights how the UFC's diverse roster naturally educates Americans about foreign cultures and attracts immense interest from international heads of state. | | *10:34* | *The Power of Convening:* Rubio notes that the UFC is one of the few remaining cultural phenomena capable of bringing together people from vastly different economic, social, and political backgrounds in an increasingly polarized world. | | *11:45* | *Praise for UFC Athletes:* Rubio expresses deep admiration for the physical courage, endurance, and elite athleticism required to compete in the octagon, citing a recent example of a fighter winning with a torn ACL. | | *13:48* | *Historic White House Event:* Rubio concludes by hyping an upcoming, unprecedented UFC event taking place with the White House and Capitol in the background. The event is framed as a gift to the American people and the world in celebration of the nation's 250th birthday. | Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell for more updates from Defense Now! #UFC #DanaWhite #MarcoRubio #StateDepartment #SportsDiplomacy #MMA #WhiteHouse #America250 #DefenseNow UFC, US State Department, Marco Rubio, Dana White, Lawrence Epstein, Sports Diplomacy, MMA, Mixed Martial Arts, White House UFC Event, America 250, US Politics, Soft Power, Global Diplomacy, United Nations of Fighting, UFC Partnership, Defense Now, National Security, American Meritocracy, Combat Sports Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @defensenow   Defense Now | June 2026    • DN June 2026   ⬇️ Support Defense Now! ⬇️ Your #1 Source for Military Videos & News :) All About Only Military Stuff! 👍 Don't forget to LIKE this video! 🔔 SUBSCRIBE & hit the bell so you never miss an update:    / defensenow   Members-only videos    • Members-only videos   © For content licensing or reuse, official government streams, and public archives, please contact us directly to avoid automated copyright enforcement. Secretary Rubio participates in MOU Signing Ceremony with UFC President and CEO Dana White Secretary of State Marco Rubio participates in a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony with President and CEO of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Dana White at the Department of State on June 11, 2026. Film Credits: U.S. Department of State