Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC chief Dana White on Thursday signed a novel agreement to enhance sports diplomacy — just days before a major mixed martial arts spectacle at the White House.
“Everybody loves the fights,” White said, noting that when their cage matches go overseas, they see presidents or royal families attending.
“If somebody looks like you, talks like you, and comes from where you come from, and they’re looked at as the best in the world when it comes to fighting, the entire country rallies around them, and it’s a pretty powerful thing.”
The UFC Freedom 250 octagon was erected on the White House South Lawn. ZUMAPRESS.com
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC CEO Dana White jointly signed an agreement to promote sports diplomacy. REUTERSThe State Department is harnessing the UFC’s massive global audience – more than 1 billion households across 165 countries in over 40 languages – as a soft-power ambassador for the United States.
Rubio, in his remarks, noted the sport’s international appeal.
“You have one of the most recognizable American sports brands on the planet,” he said to White. “So much of the American spirit is reflected in this American company.”
The United States has long used the power of sports to bridge cultural divides, sending football, basketball and baseball players around the world to show America’s softer side.
With the Memorandum of Understanding, the department “will engage current and former athletes, coaches, and executives as mentors and cultural ambassadors to deliver overseas clinics, workshops, and training sessions that promote teamwork, leadership, and healthy lifestyles among youth,” a State Department spokesperson told CNN.
They “will also develop joint educational content using MMA to teach English and leadership skills, while coordinating on international UFC events to showcase American excellence alongside our US missions worldwide,” the spokesperson said.
The agreement comes days before Sunday’s UFC match on the South Lawn of the White House. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Rubio spoke positively about the upcoming match, saying, “The number of foreign leaders that want to come to this is unbelievable. It’s to the point where we may have a diplomatic crisis, because we can’t bring everybody.” ZUMAPRESS.comThe signing comes ahead of Sunday’s UFC match on the South Lawn of the White House, which is being held on President Trump’s 80th birthday to mark the 250th birthday of the United States.
Rubio spoke enthusiastically about the forthcoming cage match.
“The number of foreign leaders that want to come to this is unbelievable. It’s to the point where we may have a diplomatic crisis, because we can’t bring everybody,” he said.
He described Sunday’s fight as a “gift to the American people.”
“They’re going to see their White House, in their capital, on their nation’s birthday, celebrating with a historic event,” he said.
Rubio noted they could have done “Shakespeare in the Park” but “this one will have people watching … all over the world.”
