As an MMA writer I spend entirely too much time reading on the internet.  That’s where the main exchange of information in this industry happens, and while it isn’t always gospel it’s usually informed enough to make do. 

But last week, after it was announced that IFL fighter Tim Kennedy would face Jason “Mayhem” Miller in an HDNET Fights event in December, I read a lot of griping that really bothered me.

Some people said Kennedy was a nobody.  They couldn’t understand why he’d be brought in to face a name fighter like “Mayhem” Miller.  They couldn’t understand why this was supposed to make for an interesting fight.

But that’s because they didn’t take the time to learn anything about Kennedy.  If they had, they’d know at least this much: Tim Kennedy is somebody.

For starters, there’s his 8-1 professional record, which includes wins over guys like the aforementioned “Mayhem” Miller, Gracie fighter Dante Rivera, and Miletich protégé Ryan McGivern.  His one loss came in his first pro fight nearly six and a half years ago, and it was a stoppage due to a cut against veteran fighter Scott Smith.

Kennedy grew up in northern California and trains with John Hackleman and Chuck Liddell at The Pit in San Luis Obispo.  He’s been a sparring partner for Liddell in recent years, when he isn’t busy with his military commitments.

You see, in addition to being a professional MMA fighter, Kennedy is also an active Army Ranger.  He joined following the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and earned a Bronze Star for his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

In fact, one could argue that his military duties are the only thing that have kept him from aggressively pursuing an MMA title, although he has managed to become the only man to win the All Army Combatives tournament three years running.  Because of his service, Kennedy was kept out of the ring for one three-year stretch, but returned to form immediately with a win over Hector Urbina in 2006.

And still, there are plenty of MMA fans who don’t know who Kennedy is, and think that is reason enough to write him off.  Somehow, the fact that he beat “Mayhem” Miller, who most of these same naysayers are willing to recognize as a top fighter, doesn’t seem to matter.

That’s probably because none of these people have ever seen Kennedy fight.  If they had, they’d know how explosive and aggressive he is.  They’d know that it’s not a coincidence that he’s racked up an impressive record, or that he defeated Diego Sanchez en route to becoming a Grappler’s Quest champion a few years back.

But rather than go on listing Kennedy’s accomplishments and awards, it might be better to simply give these people an honest chance to see the man they’re sure isn’t at all impressive.