Former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy reportedly shot in ambush in DR Congo
Former UFC fighter and US Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy was reportedly wounded in an incident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last month.
Former UFC fighter and US Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy was reportedly wounded in an ambush in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on September 17, 2026, with reports attributing the attack to the AFC/M23 rebel coalition. However, the alleged perpetrators and the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently confirmed.
According to reports, Kennedy was part of a three-man team operating in Central Africa when the group came under fire. He reportedly sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including three to the leg, during the attack.
The reports further indicate that the team's evacuation took nearly eight hours before Kennedy was medically evacuated to the United States for treatment. His condition has been described as stable, although no independently verified medical update has been made public.
Kennedy is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a former US Army Special Forces operator. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan and is known for his military background and experience in combat operations.
The incident reportedly killed Lance Corporal Justin Conaglen, a former member of New Zealand's elite Special Air Service (NZSAS). A third member of the team was also reportedly injured, although further details about that individual's condition have not been established.
Reports indicate that New Zealand authorities have opened an investigation into Conaglen's death. However, the circumstances of the reported fatality and the precise sequence of events remain unclear.
