Former UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy was shot three times in a deadly ambush in the Democratic Republic of Congress last month and was taken to Walter Reed National Military Center outside Washington, DC for treatment, according to Newsweek.
Kennedy, a former US Army Green Beret, sustained three gunshot wounds to his leg in a September 17 attack in South Kivu province, according to a Reuters report published Friday. Approximately 20 people were killed or wounded in the ambush, including at least seven Congolese nationals and a former member of the New Zealand Special Forces, according to the report.
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US Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin provided an update Sunday, confirming that he had personally spoken with Kennedy following the attack.
“I just spoke with my dear friend @TimKennedyMMA. That means he’s not dead and I’m just so thankful. I’m asking everyone to pray for his recovery and for his wonderful family to find peace.
Kennedy, 47, reportedly worked with Lever Global, a private security and consulting company founded by Eric Prince, the former president of Blackberry. Reuters reported that the team was traveling between locations during the ambush.
Kennedy (18-6 MMA) last fought in the UFC in 2016, his second loss coming in back-to-back wins against Yoel Romero and Kelvin Gastel. Prior to this, a three-fight UFC between Michael Bisping, Roger Gracie and Rafael Natal. He also competed twice for the Strikeforce middleweight title, losing in 2010 and 2012.
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Kennedy, 47, came under fire in 2025 after publicly admitting to fabricating part of his army history that he previously claimed to have received the Bronze Star Medal of Valor.