Tim Kennedy (fighter)

Timothy Fred Kennedy (born September 1, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist and current soldier. A professional from 2001 until 2016, he has fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, the WEC, ShoMMA, HDNet Fights, and represented the Chicago Red Bears in the IFL. Kennedy is one of the few fighters to simultaneously serve in the United States Army while also fighting professionally. He also is a television host, producer, and entrepreneur.
Background.
Kennedy grew up the second son of three children in a Christian family in Atascadero, California. He is of Irish descent. As a youth, Kennedy's mother placed him in cooking and piano lessons. To offset her influence on him, Kennedy's father enrolled Tim and his brother in boxing lessons, wrestling teams, and Japanese ju-jitsu classes.
Military career.
Tim Kennedy joined the Army on January 4, 2004, and completed Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, Airborne School, Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Kennedy was featured in Dick Couch's book about Green Beret selection called "Chosen Soldier" under the moniker "Tom Kendall". In 2007, he completed Ranger School and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, where he served on an Operational Detachments Alpha. During this time he was also a sniper, sniper instructor, and the principal combatives instructor for C Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. Kennedy deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times.
In August 2009, Kennedy transitioned from active duty to the Texas Army National Guard's 19th Special Forces Group and served in the position of Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.
Among Kennedy's multiple awards are the Army's Bronze Star Medal with V device, which was awarded for valor under fire.
On April 16, 2017, Kennedy announced his reenlistment into the U.S. Army Special Forces, praising the leadership of Secretary of Defense James Mattis and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.
Mixed martial arts career.
Early career.
Kennedy began training at Dokan School of Martial Arts in Atascadero, California under Terry Kelly and Barry Smith. He first started fighting in 1996, amassing a record of 30–1 over the next five years. In 1999, Kennedy began training with Chuck Liddell, Jake Shields, Gan McGee, and John Hackleman at The Pit in San Luis Obispo. In 2003 he entered and won a one-night tournament at "Extreme Challenge 50", winning all three of his fights. In 2004 he joined the Army. Kennedy only fought once in 2006. He then fought for the now defunct International Fight League in 2007, and did not fight in 2008 due to Army deployments overseas. During this time he wrote a three part series of "Letters from a Foreign Land" that chronicled his time in combat.
Strikeforce.
Kennedy returned to mixed martial arts in 2009 with a win over Nick Thompson at "" in Kent, Washington. He followed this up with an impressive win over Zak Cummings in the main event of ShoMMA 3.
Kennedy fought Trevor Prangley on June 16, 2010, at . Kennedy won the fight via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in the first round.
Since his move to Austin, Texas, Tim has been training at Competitive Training Center and with BJJ black belt Phil Cardella at the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Austin Association.
Kennedy lost a 5-round decision to Ronaldo Souza for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight Championship at on August 21, 2010. He was expected to face Jason Miller again on March 5, 2011, at Strikeforce 32. However, Miller was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Melvin Manhoef. He won via submission in the first round. He returned in July 2011 to face Robbie Lawler at . He won the bout via unanimous decision. He faced Luke Rockhold on July 14, 2012, for the Strikeforce Middleweight championship at . He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Kennedy was expected to face Trevor Smith on November 3, 2012, at . However, the event was cancelled due to injuries to headliner Frank Mir, as well to co-headliner and middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. This bout eventually took place on January 12, 2013, at . Kennedy won via submission in the third round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
In January 2013, the Strikeforce organization was closed by its parent company Zuffa. A list of fighters scheduled to be brought over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship was released in mid-January and Kennedy was one of the fighters listed.
Kennedy faced Roger Gracie on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162, he defeated Gracie via unanimous decision after defending Gracie's submission attempts and standing up with Gracie, out striking him.
Kennedy was expected to face Lyoto Machida on November 6, 2013, at UFC Fight For The Troops 3. However, Machida was pulled from the bout in favor of a matchup with Mark Muñoz on October 26, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 30, after Muñoz's original opponent, Michael Bisping was forced out of their bout with an injury. Kennedy instead faced Rafael Natal in the event headliner. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. The win also earned him his first "Knockout of the Night" bonus award.
For his third fight with the promotion, Kennedy faced Michael Bisping on April 16, 2014, at .<ref name="Bisping/Kennedy"></ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Kennedy faced Yoel Romero on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. Kennedy nearly finished Romero in the final seconds of the second round but Romero was saved by the bell. Yoel Romero, his cornermen, the referee and the UFC cutman have all been criticized for their actions resulting in a 28-second delay after the scheduled start for the third round. Romero later responded to the controversy, stating that Tim Kennedy illegally held his glove during the attack which prevented Romero from being able to block the punches that rocked him. Despite the loss, Kennedy earned a "Fight of the Night" bonus award.
After two years away from the sport, Kennedy was expected to face Rashad Evans on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205, the first UFC card at Madison Square Garden. However, on November 8, Evans was pulled from the fight after an undisclosed irregularity was found during his pre-fight medical exam. In turn, Kennedy was removed from the card as well. The bout was quickly rescheduled to take place a month later at UFC 206. Once again, Evans was unable to obtain medical clearance to compete on the card and was pulled from the bout on November 21. Kennedy faced Kelvin Gastelum. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
On January 17, 2017, Kennedy released a social media statement announcing his retirement from MMA. In the post he admitted that he no longer desired to fight professionally and thanked those closest to him for their support. He also thanked the US Army, claiming that there was 'no greater moment' than his victory in the main event of .
Personal life.
Kennedy is married and has three daughters and a son. He is a co-owner of Ranger Up, a military-based clothing company. He’s also the owner and “MF”CEO of Sheepdog Response a tactical training and self defense company.
Kennedy describes himself as a "gun nut. In May 2018, Kennedy interjected into the debate over CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel, who played a role in torture during the Bush administration. Kennedy said "waterboarding is not torture" and posted a video of himself being voluntarily waterboarded by friends. However, it was pointed out that Kennedy's demonstration did not resemble waterboarding. As explained on Twitter by Malcolm Nance, “Wrong. That’s not how it’s done. You’re just holding your breath. As a former SERE instructor & #Waterboarding qual’d resistance team member I can tell you it’s about aggression, intent, tiedown, pour technique, rate of flow & other factors.”
In 2020, Kennedy opened an Acton Academy, a K-12 charter school built off of the Acton School of Business model.
Film and television career.
Kennedy's first major host role was part of the History Channel television series "Hunting Hitler", which explores alternative theories about Adolf Hitler's death. He most recently hosted the show on Discovery Channel "Hard to Kill", which he attempted to explore a day in the life of the world's most dangerous occupations. He produced the TV documentary "Not a War Story" in 2017 and helped co-produce "Warriors" in 2014; also produced and hosted "Iron Dragon Tv". He’s made appearances on "Deadliest Warrior" and "The Ultimate Soldier Challenge".
Kennedy played as himself in the Indie film "Range 15". He also played Mario and was a Producer in the short thriller "Slaves". He’s also done several military advisor roles & stunt coordinator positions notably with Range 15 as well as works on "Steve-O:Guilty as Charged", and short film "Next to You".
Military awards.
Kennedy's awards include: