Former UFC fighter and U.S. Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy reportedly survived a deadly ambush in Africa after being shot three times during a violent attack that left at least 20 people dead or wounded.
Kennedy, 47, was reportedly working with a private security company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when his team came under fire on September 17.
The former middleweight fighter suffered three gunshot wounds to his leg and was eventually evacuated to the United States, where he is receiving medical treatment.
According to an October 9 investigation by Reuters, the ambush occurred in South Kivu, a dangerous region of eastern Congo where government troops and armed rebel groups have been engaged in years of fighting.
Kennedy was reportedly working under contract with Vectus Global, a private security company headed by Erik Prince, the controversial businessman who founded Blackwater, a private military contractor that operated extensively during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The company’s personnel were assisting the Congolese government with efforts to protect mining revenue, combat mineral smuggling and improve tax collection.
But their mission took a deadly turn when armed attackers reportedly ambushed a group traveling through the region.
Sources familiar with the operation told Reuters that approximately 20 people were killed or injured in the attack.
Among those reportedly killed was Justin Conaglen, a former member of New Zealand’s elite Special Air Service, who had been working alongside the private security personnel.
Seven Congolese nationals were also reportedly among the dead, although the complete casualty count has not been independently confirmed.
Kennedy was part of a team that came under heavy gunfire. According to reports from MMA media outlets, he was struck three times in the leg during the confrontation.
The situation was made even more dangerous by the difficulties of evacuating wounded personnel from the remote conflict zone.
Some reports indicate that it took nearly eight hours to get Kennedy and other injured personnel to safety.
He was eventually transported out of the country through neighboring Burundi and South Africa before returning to the United States.
Kennedy is reportedly being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
His condition has been described as stable, although the full extent of his injuries and how long his recovery might take remain unclear.
The attack has raised serious questions about who was responsible for the ambush and whether the private security team was deliberately targeted.
According to Reuters, one source suggested that Rwandan forces supporting rebel groups operating in eastern Congo may have tracked the security personnel using signals associated with a surveillance drone.
However, that account has not been independently verified, and responsibility for the attack has not been conclusively established.
The region has experienced years of instability, fueled by competing armed groups, international tensions and struggles over its valuable mineral resources.
Eastern Congo contains significant deposits of gold, tin, tantalum and other minerals used in electronics, manufacturing and technology.
Control of these resources has become a major issue in the country’s ongoing conflict.
The M23 rebel movement, which has received support from Rwanda according to United Nations investigators and Western governments, has seized territory in eastern Congo during repeated offensives.
Rwanda has disputed allegations about its involvement, while accusing the Congolese government of failing to address security threats near its border.
Vectus Global has expanded its activities in Congo as the government seeks outside assistance in securing important economic assets and supporting military operations.
The company’s involvement has drawn attention because of Prince’s history in the private security industry.
Prince founded Blackwater in 1997, and the company later became one of the best-known private military contractors working for the United States during the Iraq War.
Its reputation became deeply controversial after Blackwater security guards killed civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square in 2007.
Prince has since remained involved in private security operations and international business ventures.
Kennedy’s reported involvement in the Congo operation is notable because of his unusual background as both a professional fighter and an experienced American soldier.
Before becoming widely known in mixed martial arts, Kennedy served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and deployed to combat zones including Iraq and Afghanistan.
He built a reputation as one of the relatively few professional athletes to compete at a high level while also maintaining a military career.
Kennedy fought professionally in mixed martial arts from 2001 until 2016, competing in organizations including Strikeforce and the UFC.
During his UFC career, he faced prominent fighters such as Michael Bisping, Yoel Romero and Kelvin Gastelum.
He finished his professional MMA career with an 18-6 record.
After stepping away from competition, Kennedy remained a recognizable figure in the military and combat sports communities.
He appeared on television, hosted podcasts and built a substantial social media following through discussions about fitness, survival skills, military service and current events.
He also appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he discussed his background in both professional fighting and the armed forces.
In recent years, Kennedy has been involved in several business ventures and organizations focused on military veterans, preparedness training and outdoor education.
His reported injuries have prompted concern among supporters, particularly given the dangerous circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident also highlights the risks facing Americans and other foreign contractors working in regions affected by armed conflict.
Unlike traditional military deployments, private security operations can involve complicated chains of command and varying levels of government oversight.
The U.S. State Department has said it does not have contracts with Prince’s operations in Congo, according to Reuters.
It remains unclear exactly what role Kennedy was performing when the ambush occurred or whether his group was directly participating in combat at the time.
The reported shooting happened September 17, but details only began attracting widespread international attention in early October.
As of October 10, there have been no publicly confirmed details about Kennedy’s expected release from the hospital or his long-term prognosis.
For now, the former UFC fighter is reportedly recovering in the United States after surviving an attack that claimed multiple lives.