‘A serious mistake’: UFC fighter and bestselling author makes shocking admission on social media

Tim Kennedy, a UFC fighter and bestselling author, made a shocking admission on social media, confirming doubts many have had about his military service.

In a July 8 post on X, Kennedy acknowledged that he had falsely stated he had been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, a prestigious military decoration given for acts of heroism in combat. The admission comes after years of speculation among military and veteran communities about the accuracy of Kennedy’s claims regarding his military record.

“I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility”

In his post, Kennedy wrote, “I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility for a serious mistake. 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.”

This is the first time Kennedy has fully admitted misstating or implying incorrectly that he won the Bronze Star, and he had previously downplayed the accusations. Meanwhile, other claims about Kennedy’s record have been disputed, which the update did not address, including receiving a Purple Heart for shrapnel injuries, exaggerated combat deployments, and other specific combat narratives, and claims about being the “distinguished honor graduate” of Ranger School.

Kennedy’s public persona: fighter, soldier, author

Kennedy, 44, rose to prominence as both a professional MMA fighter and an outspoken member of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He competed in Strikeforce and the UFC, retiring in 2016 with an 18-6 record. Known for his gritty fighting style and patriot persona, Kennedy cultivated a large social media following where he often spoke about military service, national defense, and American values.

He is also the author of the bestselling memoir Scars and Stripes (2022), which detailed his experiences as a Green Beret, sniper, and public figure navigating post-9/11 combat deployments and celebrity.

For years, Kennedy’s public statements and marketing materials included references to receiving the Bronze Star with Valor—a claim that now appears to be untrue. Multiple interviews and public appearances, including segments with major outlets and promotional content for his books, reinforced this narrative.

Critics in the veteran community had long questioned the claim, citing the absence of supporting documentation in official military records. Until now, Kennedy had not publicly addressed those concerns.

A controversial reckoning

In his full July 8 statement, Kennedy emphasized his remorse and the weight of his error.

“That kind of recognition is sacred,” he wrote. “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.”

“Integrity is not situational,” he added, “and I failed to uphold the standards I claimed to represent.”

While some longtime fans were stunned by the revelation, others say the admission merely confirms what many suspected. One response said in part, “This doesn’t feel like an apology to me, but it’s a start.”

Another added, “Falsely claiming that you had been awarded a Bronze Star and calling it a mistake is morally equivalent to stabbing someone and calling that action a mistake. You can’t walk back your claim by saying it was unintentional. You made that claim knowing that it was false. It was a deliberate self-serving lie. Your false [mea culpa] shows that you still should not be trusted.

The controversy touches on the issue of stolen valor, a term for falsely claiming military honors—a serious breach of trust in the eyes of many veterans.

What comes next

Kennedy pledged to change his approach moving forward.

“This apology is not the end, it’s the beginning,” he wrote. “I will no longer speak about my service in a way that elevates me beyond what I actually did. From now on, my words will be guided by truth, humility, and respect.” Only “time and action” will heal the damage, he acknowledged.

Reactions to the admission continue to unfold across social media platforms. It’s unclear if the military will take any disciplinary action. Whether the veteran and author can rebuild trust within the military community remains to be seen, but by admitting his mistake, Kennedy has taken a first public step toward accountability.