Former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy is currently being treated for three gunshot wounds. He was involved in an attack that left 20 people dead or wounded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Reuters. Kennedy, a former US Army Green Beret, is being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, per Newsweek (h/t the Independent).
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The attack reportedly took place on September 17, while Kennedy was in South Kivu province.
"Derrick Van Orden, a US Congressman from Wisconsin, shared an update on social media over the weekend, saying he was 'thankful' that Kennedy, 47, survived while 'asking everyone to pray for his healing and that his wonderful family finds peace,'" the Independent reports.
Kennedy was reportedly in South Kivu province while working with the private security firm Vectus Global. According to Reuters (h/t Newsweek), which spoke with sources close to the incident, it is believed Kennedy was ambushed by M23 rebels.
Suffering three gunshot wounds, Kennedy will likely face a lengthy road to full recovery. Nevertheless, given the nature of the incident, he'll likely be thankful to be alive and on the mend.
Tim Kennedy Was a Talented MMA Fighter
Before moving into private security, Kennedy was an MMA fighter under contract with the UFC. Throughout his mixed martial arts career, he amassed an 18-6 record. However, he bowed out of MMA on a losing note, losing to Kelvin Gastelum in 2016.
During his MMA career, Kennedy rolled off an eight-fight win streak. That undoubtedly helped him forget his debut defeat in 2001 to Scott Smith. He also recorded wins against Robbie Lawler and Michael Bisping, both of whom have won championships with the UFC.
Still, Kennedy's most memorable moment in the MMA world came in 2013. He defeated Rafael Natal by knockout at UFC: Fight For The Troops 3.
Kennedy will need to draw on the grit and determination he showed inside the cage, as he now faces a battle to get back to full health. Hopefully, he'll make a full recovery.
