Retired US Special Forces Sergeant Major discusses beating up former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy in the army: “We’re gonna fight in order of rank"
Tim Kennedy is well-known for both his impressive MMA career and his arguably more impressive career in the United States military.
The former UFC fighter has formed part of several special forces units while on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kennedy also competed twice for the Strikeforce middleweight title, losing to Jacare Souza and Luke Rockhold, respectively. He also holds wins over former UFC champions Michael Bisping and Robbie Lawler during his stint fighting in the hallowed octagon.
But during a recent episode of the Shawn Ryan Show, hosted by his namesake, who also served in the U.S. special forces, a story emerged of a time when Kennedy was on the end of a beating by fellow unit members.
According to retired Sergeant Major John McPhee, also known as the Sheriff of Baghdad, the former MMA fighter's "incessant talking" about how he could beat up everyone in his unit led to a showdown in the dojo at their barracks.
McPhee said this:
"The f**king incessant talking s**t about kicking everybody's a*s. Then one day I just [said], 'You're gonna kick all of our a**es?' [And Kennedy said], 'Yeah.' And I was like, 'Meet me at the dojo at midnight.' All the guys were like, 'I'll be at the dojo! I want a piece of this action!''"
He continued:
"I was like, 'We're gonna fight in the order of rank.' The new guys didn't like it, and I'd say Timmy did well for two, three, four guys... But he couldn't beat us all... I was second-to-last because the captain went last... I was like, 'It's gotta be on me.' I just made sure in the time I had bloodied [Kennedy] up and made sure he was down... Me and the guys walked out and left him in there laying on the ground."
Click here to watch John McPhee discuss Tim Kennedy (3:18:55).
What does Tim Kennedy do now?
After Tim Kennedy retired from MMA in 2016, he re-enlisted in the army. After four years in the military, the former fighter decided to end his combat career.
He now lives in Texas, where he trains and teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu alongside Gordon Ryan at the Roka Gym. He also attends firearm and military-related events countrywide where he shares his experiences and expertise with those in attendance.