Stolen valor: UFC fighter Tim Kennedy admits to lying about military award

Tim Kennedy may be one of the most decorated military men to ever compete in mixed martial arts, but that didn’t stop him from making false claims about his awards over the years.

Kennedy competed in MMA for a decade and a half, rising to become a middleweight contender in Strikeforce and then the UFC while still serving in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces sniper. He has a whole whack load of military medals for his service in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including a Bronze Star.

But he does not have a Bronze Star with Valor, and that’s a big issue.

The unearned distinction got worked into his bio over the years until a number of current and former military members took issue with it. Kennedy has spent the last six months arguing it was due to mistakes other people made listing his credentials.

“I do not have, nor have I ever claimed to have, a Bronze Star with V device,” he wrote in an Instagram post at the start of 2025. “I acknowledge that there are a handful of articles on the web, to include a third-party speech booking service that annotate that award. I did not realize those articles were out there, and I have taken immediate action to correct them.”

But recently an interview popped up where he clearly claims to have a Bronze Star with Valor, and now Kennedy is apologizing.

“I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility for a serious mistake,” he wrote on social media. “Over the years, I made public statements and gave interviews in which I unintentionally misstated aspects of my military service. Most notably, I implied directly or indirectly that I had been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. That is not true, and there is no excuse for it.”

“I never received that honor, and I deeply regret ever suggesting otherwise. That kind of recognition is sacred. It represents extraordinary courage under fire acts that risk or cost lives. To those who truly earned it, and to their families and brothers-in-arms, I offer my sincere and direct apology. What I said disrespected your service, and I take full ownership of that.”

“I was young when I stepped into the public eye,” Kennedy continued. “And while I wasn’t prepared for the scrutiny or pressure that came with it, that doesn’t absolve me. I should have known better. Integrity is not situational, and I failed to uphold the standards I claimed to represent. To the military and veteran community, especially those who’ve served in combat or lost people they love. I am deeply sorry. I know I’ve let many of you down.”

Kennedy vowed to work hard to make up for the mistake and take accountability for his actions, but it may be too little too late for many veterans who aren’t fans of the former UFC fighter’s spotlight seeking.

“His continued public behavior leveraging the uniform, the tab, and the legacy of Special Forces for personal branding stands in direct contrast to the principles of humility, discretion, and professionalism that define our Regiment,” a recently retired Command Sergeant Major of the Green Berets wrote after proof of Kennedy’s stolen valor surfaced.

“This issue is not being ignored. Appropriate actions are underway through the correct official channels. The matter is being taken seriously, and his continued right to wear the Green Beret is under formal review.”