MMA fans remember Tim Kennedy as the tough-as-nails middleweight who challenged for the Bellator middleweight title twice, beat Michael Bisping in the UFC, and was involved in the infamous stool controversy with Yoel Romero. However, few expected to hear his name in connection with a deadly shootout in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, Kennedy was shot during an ambush while working a private contracting gig in the conflict-ridden country. The former U.S. Army soldier was part of a team hired by Vectus Global to protect mining revenues, combat smuggling, and collect taxes on behalf of the Congolese government.
However, the mission took a dangerous turn when Kennedy was shot three times in the leg during an ambush on September 17. The incident reportedly left 20 people injured or dead. Kennedy has since been evacuated to the United States and is receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Amid the worrying developments, UFC CEO Dana White has shared his reaction to the condition of his former fighter.
Dana White Offers Support to Tim Kennedy Following Congo Ambush
During a recent Dana White’s Contender Series press conference, White was asked whether he had heard about Kennedy’s situation. The UFC boss was unaware of the incident but expressed hope that his former fighter would recover.
He said, “No. I don’t know anything about it. Yeah, I don’t know about that. Obviously, I hope he heals up.”
White then asked reporters where Kennedy had been shot, saying, “Where did he get shot? Body-wise?” When he learned that the former middleweight had been shot three times in the leg, White responded, “Jesus Christ. I wish him well.”
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Tim Kennedy’s friend shares an update on his condition. Providing an update on Kennedy’s condition, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, a Navy SEAL veteran, revealed that he had spoken to his friend and urged people to pray for his recovery.
He wrote on X, “I just spoke to my dear friend [Tim Kennedy]. 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 finds peace. In no way, shape, or form, does this change my position. GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!”
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.
In no way, shape, or form, does this change my position.
GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) October 12, 2026
Kennedy enjoyed a notable MMA career, competing in Strikeforce and the UFC. Along the way, he picked up impressive wins over Melvin Manhoef, Robbie Lawler, and Michael Bisping. He announced his retirement in January 2017, shortly after losing to Kelvin Gastelum, and walked away from MMA with an 18-6 record.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
