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.

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. The company has been operating in Congo, where it has reportedly assisted government forces amid an ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group.

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.

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.