UFC vet Tim Kennedy hospitalized after reportedly being shot 3 times in deadly Congo ambush

Former UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy was shot three times during a deadly ambush in the Democratic Republic of Congo last month and is receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, D.C., according to Newsweek.

Kennedy, a former U.S. Army Green Beret, sustained three gunshot wounds to his leg during the Sept. 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 New Zealand's Special Forces, per the report.

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U.S. Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin provided a public update Sunday, confirming that he had personally spoken with Kennedy following the attack.

"I just spoke to my dear friend @TimKennedyMMA. That means he is not dead and that means I am thankful. I am asking everyone to pray for his healing and that his wonderful family find Peace.

Kennedy, 47, was reportedly working with Vectus Global, a private security and consulting company founded by Erik Prince, the former head of Blackwater. Reuters reported that the Vectus team was traveling between locations when it was ambushed.

Kennedy (18-6 MMA) last fought in the UFC in 2016, losing the second of back-to-back bouts against Yoel Romero and Kelvin Gastelum. Prior to that, he compiled a three-fight UFC win streak over Michael Bisping, Roger Gracie and Rafael Natal. He also competed twice for the Strikeforce middleweight title, falling short in 2010 and 2012.

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Kennedy, 47, came under fire in 2025 after publicly admitting to fabricating a part of his U.S. Army history, having previously claimed to have received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor.