Kennedy, signed to Strikeforce, has only fought twice a year since 2009 and hasn’t been seen in the cage since July when he beat Robbie Lawler. With the exception of a minor injury issue forcing him out of an expected fight with Luke Rockhold, Kennedy has not only been ready to compete but actively lobbing for an opportunity to do so. Unfortunately his pleas have for the most part fallen on deaf ears, a byproduct of Strikeforce officials being preoccupied with their own organizational issues.

Regardless, the situation as a whole has now worn Kennedy down to the point he’s considering other career options, a point he expressed in a telling conversation with MiddleEasy.

“I’m getting real sick of this MMA scene right now. Waiting around for fights and the politics between Strikeforce and Showtime and the UFC and Zuffa. I’m just kind of getting over it, man. I miss the simplicity of life as a soldier,” said Kennedy. “So, I don’t know. I don’t know what I want to do. I have some extreme survival and athlete type shows possibly going and, so, I don’t know, man, I don’t know. It’s going to be a curious year. I haven’t fought in…months. Now it will be a year before my next fight. A year lay off, and not by choice. I was out two weeks with an injury in a twelve month time frame? It’s shenanigans. If my job is to fight and I only get a fight once every twelve months I can’t afford to keep fighting. I gotta do something else, I have to figure it out.”

Kennedy is also understandably in tune with world news, particularly related to potential conflict in the world, and sees the distinct possibility of having to return to the battlefield full time depending on how messy things get between Israel-Iran in the coming months. Though the bulk of his attention is still on Mixed Martial Arts his mind is still very aware of how numbered his days in the sport may be whether by choice or otherwise.

“Fight-wise, I’m training my butt off. I’m supposed to fight Luke Rockhold when his hand is better. I would fight him next week if his hand was better. I’m training as if I have a fight in two months, even though I know he just got his cast off,” explained the candid Kennedy of his present circumstances. “Is my focus going to be shifting (to military duties)? Uh, not yet. It may be a little premature. I’m still going to be training a lot with my unit. I’m still working on a lot. But no. Day to day not much will change, it’s just always going to be on mind as to what I’m doing with my time.”

The 14-3 Kennedy has won six of his last seven scraps including his last two with the lone exception being a closely contested decision loss to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. He has never been cleanly finished in his career, another testament to his toughness and potential, losing due to a cut in his MMA debut with the other stumble a subsequent outpointing to Jason Miller in 2007.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

Rockhold defeated Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza for the title back in September, claiming a decision victory. The American Kickboxing Academy student is currently 8-1, having won his last seven fights.

Kennedy, who served for years in the U.S. Army while simultaneously being a MMA fighter, defeated Robbie Lawler and Melvin Manhoef over this past year. He is 6-1 in his last seven fights with the lone loss coming at the hands of Souza.

“I think Tim Kennedy is out there, and from what I’ve been told, that’s probably my next fight,” said Rockhold, in a recent interview with Tatame. “Nothing’s official, but they told me to get into training camp and get ready. So, I’m thinking January I’ll be fighting.”

Rockhold is glad to be the Strikeforce title-holder and enjoys competing for the company, but he still has his sights on joining the UFC down the road.

“Like I said, nothing’s official,” Rockhold said. “I look forward to going to the UFC (one day). I think me, Kennedy and “Jacare” would be very well in the UFC.”

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

The promotion announced the middleweight match-up earlier today through their Twitter account.

The 13-3 Kennedy has been on a quest to earn another crack at the belt currently worn by Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza since falling short on the judges’ scorecards in their August 2010 affair. The well-rounded 31-year old defeated Melvin Manhoef three months ago at “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson” and has won five of his last six fights with the lone exception being the loss to Souza.

Lawler is also no stranger to the title scene with his last in-ring appearance involving a third round Read-Naked Choke loss to the aforementioned middleweight champion. Prior to the submission defeat the hard-hitting Midwesterner had stopped seven of his previous nine opponents with strikes including Manhoef, Matt Lindland, Joey Villasenor, Murilo Rua, and Frank Trigg. He holds an overall record of 18-7 with fifteen knockouts to his name.

The inclusion of Lawler vs. Kennedy adds to an already stacked “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson” lineup including the headliner, Coenen vs. Miesha Tate, and Paul Daley vs. Tarec Saffiedine.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

With the proverbial spinner finally at rest on Melvin Manhoef in main card action, Kennedy recently took some time to speak frankly with Five Ounces of Pain about his match-up with the formidable striker as well as the lead up to “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson”. Read ahead as he discussed why “frustration” isn’t the emotion he’s endured since his last outing, what his motivation for Manhoef is regardless of their recent outings, and why he thinks his trilogy with Jason “Mayhem” Miller fell through after originally being rumored for this weekend’s upcoming card.

After recently dedicating 100% of his time to a career in Mixed Martial Arts rather than splitting it with his military commitment Kennedy made it clear where his heart had been after forcibly waiting six months to get back in the cage while healthy and actively seeking an opportunity to continue his growth as a professional fighter.

“I left active duty with Special Forces to fight and I want to fight often. It’s not frustration, its disappointment,” Kennedy replied when asked if he had been angered by the break in competition. “I feel like if I’m not fighting then I want to be deployed with my friends, my buddies. It’s more of like a disappointment…I’m wasting both my time and my brothers/sisters in uniform that I’m not with right now. If I’m not fighting I want to be deployed.”

Then again, just because he’s been in limbo as of late doesn’t mean Kennedy has been sitting on the couch wasting away.

“I’ve been training my butt off,” he continued. “I’ve been looking for fights since November very aggressively. I looked to fight in Japan, I looked to be on a January Strikeforce card. Those all fell through so now I’m just excited I’m fighting and I’m looking to just beat somebody up.”

Kennedy also touched on the topic of whether or not he felt other Strikeforce middleweights might be avoiding, or even protected from, him. Though stopped short of naming names, he did say fans can evaluate the circumstances and come to their own conclusion.

“You guys be the judge and jury for yourself. I’ll tell you straight out the three fights you heard about in the press were not the only three fights I was offered. There were three other fights they offered me and of course I said yes to, so that’s one March card and six opponents I said yes to and you shake the tree and (Manhoef) is who I end up with.”

However, though Manhoef emerged as his adversary at the event after a number of other possibilities, including bouts with grapplers like Miller and rising prospect Luke Rockhold, Kennedy made it clear he’s still had plenty of time to prepare for the Dutchman’s offerings including those of the stand-up variety.

Asked about a recent statement regarding his intention to knock Manhoef out, Kennedy responded, “I’m pretty sure he’s going to try and do the same with me so I’m not going to go out there and go ‘twinkletoes’ with him. I’m gonna look to finish and I want to finish in an exciting, unexpected way.”

The thought of exchanging strikes with an individual with Manhoef’s reputation for introducing opponents to the taste of canvas might be enough to frighten some fighters off – or some managers – but in the case of Kennedy it’s simply another challenge he’s ready to overcome with great success.

“We don’t have to be toe-to-toe for me to put a fist in his face and make him unconscious,” Kennedy elaborated on the intention to send Manhoef reeling. “I’ve put plenty of people away on the ground, I’ve knocked out plenty of people with body shots, with knees to the head…I’ve knocked out people with slams. So when I say I’m gonna knock a guy out don’t be too fast to pass judgment as to where that’s gonna be.”

“He’s dangerous. He poses a threat to everybody that he fights,” he explained while paying respect to Manhoef. “He was really two ticks away from finishing Robbie Lawler who was ranked #5 in the world in his last fight. There’s no way anybody who fights Melvin can look past him. He has twice the number of wins as I do.”

True to form, rather than see an adversary who could be seen as beneath him where career momentum is concerned, Kennedy never turned from an attitude of admiration towards Manhoef despite four first-round losses in the kickboxer’s last six MMA fights.

“I think a lot of people underestimate him. Just because a blueprint has been made on how to beat him doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous anymore.”

As far as what he stands to gain with a potential win this weekend beyond overcoming the pending adversity, Kennedy also sees the positives outside of victory, saying, “To beat a very experienced, well known on the European side…a fighter that’s fought in bigger and larger venues than I ever have. I’ve gotta get more fans, I’ve gotta get more exciting fights, and I’ve got to get more guys who will come to fight me and I’ve got Melvin.”

In closing, Kennedy offered his thoughts on why the rubber-match between himself and “Mayhem” Miller hadn’t materialized at the March 5 event as rumored despite fans’ interest, the divisional relevance, and both of their past offerings having been highly entertaining.

“I don’t know why that fight didn’t come to fruition on this card. I know Jason on his end was good to go and I’m a ‘yes man’ when it comes to people offering me fights. But that’s only half the game. You still have a network to approve it and you still have a promotion to want it. Maybe they’re looking for that to be more of a headlining fight and it could’ve been overshadowed by two title fights on the March 5 card.”

“So I don’t know what (Strikeforce/Showtime) has planned,” he continued. “My position is to go out there and put on a good show. I think Jason and I would both do that when we get down to fight each other but that’s just not yet.”

Before parting Kennedy also made sure to offer his gratitude towards his supporters and fellow soldiers.

“First and foremost I want to thank the troops. You guys have given me the opportunity to fight; fans, you guys listening to interviews, reading this stuff, and watching fights is what makes it happen so thanks to you guys. My training partners, love you guys. I know it’s been a rough couple months but we’ll go grab a drink after this.”

Kennedy is 12-3 in his career with notable past wins over Miller, Nick Thompson, and Trevor Prangley. He has only won a single fight by decision with a near event split between TKOs/submissions resulting in the bulk of his victories.

Viewers can tune into Showtime on Saturday night at 10:00 PM EST to watch Kennedy’s quest towards the Strikeforce middleweight crown continue against Manhoef at “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson”. Also set for the event, 135-pound champion Marloes Coenen defends her title against undefeated former Marine Liz Carmouche and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante will attempt to retain his belt in light heavyweight action against PRIDE/UFC icon Dan Henderson.

News of Kennedy’s attempt to stymie the fast-rising Rockhold was announced earlier today in an official press release from Strikeforce where a fight between Billy Evangelista and Jorge Masvidal was also mentioned. The card will be headlined by twin title-fights featuring light heavyweight champ Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante taking on Dan Henderson and Marloes Coenen putting her 135-pound women’s belt on the line against Miesha Tate.

Rockhold holds an overall record of 7-1 and has won all six of his fights in Strikeforce with none of his opponents escaping the first frame. The American Kickboxing Academy product knocked Paul Bradley out midway through the opening round of his last outing in February 2010 and was expected for action against Matt Lindland in October before an injury forced him to withdraw from the event.

The March fight should finally scratch an itch for Kennedy who has been out of action since losing by way of decision to champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza this past August and actively campaigning to compete since then. Prior to the outpointing he had won four straight fights including a first round Rear-Naked Choke of Trevor Prangley a few months prior.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

News of the pairing first came by way of MMAMania last week with multiple outlets now reporting both camps are on board and awaiting an official green light from Strikeforce.

Five Ounces of Pain spoke to Kennedy who explained nothing was concrete but expressed his excitement at the bout’s possibility and was hopeful it would take place.

Though the men are as different as could be from as personality standpoint they have had a few things in common as of late including an itch to compete and the inability to scratch it for reasons out of their control.

The 12-3 Kennedy was most recently seen in a hard-fought decision loss to promotional title-holder Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at “Strikeforce – Houston” in August. Shortly after the defeat the decorated military veteran began articulating his interest in getting back into the ring again as soon as possible and was even linked to a New Year’s Eve fight in Japan.

Meanwhile, Miller had been lobbying for a catch-weight clash with 170-pound champion Nick Diaz for the better part of 2010 based on their heated rivalry stemming from a multi-man assault the MTV host endured after an event earlier in the year. However, he and Diaz were never able to find a manageable mark they were comfortable agreeing to. His last in-ring appearance involved a first-round submission over Kazushi Sakuraba at DREAM 16 and was his third win in four official results.

Five Ounces of Pain spoke with the highly-respected competitor about his current status who in turn explained he had a pair of his 185-pound peers turn down bouts against him which would have been scheduled for last weekend’s “Strikeforce – Henderson vs. Babalu II” event.

“I said yes to two different names for the December 4th card but both guys turned down the fight,” Kennedy explained. Though the humble 31-year old did not reveal names, he did explain he’s being proactive about the situation – a quality likely serving him well throughout his decorated military career.

According to Kennedy, he is exploring DREAM as an option where a future fight is concerned. While nothing official is eminent, his interest in mixing it up this month along with the Japanese company’s involvement in the annual “Dynamite!!” show does lend credit to the idea a match-up on New Year’s Eve could be a possibility if things fall into place just right.

Kennedy is 12-3 in his career with wins over Trevor Prangley and Jason “Mayhem” Miller. He has never been finished while taking home eleven of his twelve victories by way of submission/TKO. Also notable, and perhaps a factor in his struggle to find an opponent, is the fact the bulk of his success came while splitting time between MMA and his duties as an active Green Beret Sniper meaning he now has the ability to fully focus on training for the sport.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

In a tactical co-feature, world-class submission specialist Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza captured the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight Championship with a unanimous decision over American military hero Tim Kennedy.

In an all-action fight, Mo (7-1) was the aggressor in the first, scoring a body slam in the opening minute of the round. But, Feijao (10-2) was unfazed by the take down and got to his feet without suffering any significant damage.

After trading punches in the second, Feijao came out swinging in the third. He landed a few strong combinations and caught Mo with a powerful knee. Clearly wounded, Mo tried to take his opponent to the ground to minimize the damage but, while locked up standing, Feijao battered Mo with a series of brutal slashing elbows to Mo’s head, knocking him out at 1:14.

“I hit him hard with the right hand and the knee,” Feijao said. “I saw he was hurt, but I was just going to continue to hit him. I felt his grip loosening and knew that he was done.

“I have a new coach in boxing and Muay Thai that made the difference. “I just made my dream. I saw in his last fight he wanted to get inside. My strategy worked perfectly.”

A wounded Mo was disappointed but not dejected in his performance.

“I just got to make a few adjustments,” Mo said. “He fought a hell of a fight, but I’m not worried. I’ll come back stronger.”

Jacare (13-2-1) wasn’t able to get Kennedy to the ground, but his effective and relentless counterpunching was the difference maker in the fight.

A deep gash opened up over Kennedy’s left eye early in the third round. Kennedy (12-3) tried taking the fight to the mat, but it was ineffective against Jacare, who was the superior striker landing the harder, crisper punches.

Kennedy continued to attack Jacare throughout the fight, never giving up, but was unable to land anything that hurt his opponent.

“I felt through the fight that he felt my hand,” Jacare said. “I was landing some big punches and I thought I was winning the fight. I was ready to fight everywhere in the cage, but I was surprised how strong he was. He was strong, but I was the one connecting and landing the damaging punches.”

Kennedy, who landed more punches with a higher percentage, was a bit surprised in the unanimous decision loss.

“I was really frustrated with the end result,” Kennedy said. “Jacare is an amazing contender and now a champion. I was humbled that I was able to go five rounds with him, but I think it goes without saying that I’d like another five rounds with that guy. It’s going to be different.

“We’re talking about the most decorated grappler in the planet. I expected him to want to grapple. He countered with me the whole time and I was surprised. I should have put more pressure on him. The only time anyone got dropped in the fight was when I dropped him, but he’s got the belt.”

In a featured lightweight bout, KJ Noons scored a second round KO (:19) over fearless brawler and BJJ blackbelt Jorge Gurgel in a short, but spectacular match.

The two exchanged powerful punches in the first, but a powerful and controversial blow from Noons a split second after the sound of the closing bell for the first round proved to be the difference. Noons (10-2) came out swinging in the second, landing an overhand right followed by a left hook that sent Gurgel (13-7) flying to the canvas. He followed it up with punches on the ground, but the fight was clearly over as Gurgel could not recover.

“By any means am I a dirty fighter, no,” Noons said. “I was just going in there to try to engage and get the round. I was in the heat of the moment and I couldn’t stop my hands as they were going. It wasn’t cheap and I’m not trying to be dirty – I’m just trying to finish the fight. I didn’t’ intentionally do it, it’s just the rush.

“I thought it was a great fight. He had a really good game plan. He was moving around the ring and was trying to get me to engage more. I just knew I had to not over commit on my punches and my kicks and I’d be able to keep standing. I’m not surprised he didn’t take me down.”

Gurgel didn’t make any excuses or complaints in losing.

“I apparently got hit a couple of times when the round was up, but it’s not KJ’s fault,” Gurgel said. The referee is responsible for separating the fighters. I’m not taking anything away from (KJ) He landed a good right hand and a left hook. I have no excuses whatsoever. I came up short in my performance and I’m really upset. I thought I had his number. I’ve never been rocked before. I’ve had 20 professional fights and I’ve never felt that. KJ is a world class fighter.”

In the opening fight of the Showtime telecast, Chad Griggs won an upset, TKO victory over previously unbeaten Bobby Lashley at the end of the second round.

An experienced and talented wrestler, Lashley immediately took the fight to the ground in the first round. He expended a lot of energy trying to hit Griggs (9-1) while on the ground, but Griggs was able to counter and opened up a gushing cut over Lashley’s left eye.

Once again, Lashley (5-1) took the fight to the ground in the second, but his punches didn’t do enough damage to the more experienced Griggs. The cut worsened with Lashley apparently gassed in the closing moments of the second round and the referee called the bout immediately following the conclusion of the round.

“This is a dream come true fighting for Strikeforce. I got offered a big fight right off the bat and I’m super pumped I got the win,” Griggs said. “I know he was bleeding all over me. I think he was tired and he was hurt already. I think it was a good call to end it.

“I felt him starting to fade a little bit at the end of the first round. I could hear him breathing really hard and could feel him using a lot of muscle to land punches. I was comfortable because he wasn’t really catching me and he was using a lot of energy. I don’t think that he’s really been hit before or been tested. I could see it in his eyes that the fight was changing. He was still hustling, but I think he was losing some heart in there.”

A full list of results from “Strikeforce – Houston” can be found below:

Artenas Young def. Chad Cook via Unanimous Decision
Chad “Robo” Robichaux def. Humberto DeLeon via Split Decision
Reynaldo “The Truth” Trujillo def. Jose Santibanez via TKO Round 1
Adam Schindler def. Kier Gooch via Submission Round 1 (Rear Naked Choke)
Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes def. Rocky Long via Unanimous Decision
Andre Galvao def. Jorge Patino via TKO Round 3
Daniel Cormier def. Jason Riley via Submission Round 1 (Strikes)
Chad Griggs def. Bobby Lashley via TKO Round 2
KJ Noons def. Jorge Gurgel via KO Round 2
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Tim Kennedy via Unanimous Decision
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def. “King Mo” Lawal via TKO Round 3

PHOTO CREDIT: Esther Lin / Strikeforce

“’Feijao’ has been around for a while. He’s a tough fighter. He’s experienced and I’m still young in the game. He’s a seasoned vet who is tough and hungry. That’s why I’m the underdog; that’s why I’m not going to take him lightly,” said Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion “King Mo” Lawal of in-ring adversary Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante. “I respect ‘Feijao’. I have no problem with him. We’ll handle everything in the ring on Saturday. We’ll do that and have fun.”

“I’ve trained so hard. I saw Mo’s last fight and I know he’s good at everything…well-rounded. I knew I had to train for everything for Mo,” responded Cavalcante. “I think there will be a lot of surprises in this fight. I think Mo has a lot of things to show on Saturday, but so do I.”

The level of mutual respect was also maintained when Tim Kennedy and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza took to the microphone. In fact, Kennedy and Souza, who will face off for the promotion’s vacant middleweight title at the event, both seemed to imply they had trained harder for each other than for any previous opponent they’d faced.

When asked about his opponent, the Brazilian BJJ specialist replied, “I’ve been training very hard and I’m prepared for this fight. Kennedy is a great fighter. I don’t know if I’ll win by submission or knockout, but I’ve been training very hard. He is a great wrestler – great ground and pound and a strong opponent. The belt deserves a good fight, a battle. I know Tim and I are going to fight hard for that title. ”

Kennedy also appeared ready to honor the championship by turning in a top-level performance, saying, “I don’t want to dilute the value of the Strikeforce belt. I’d love to fight (Jason “Mayhem” Miller) if I win the title, but it’s not about me. It’s about the Strikeforce belt and the honor that comes with it.” Kennedy has fought Miller twice before, splitting the results with both the win and loss coming by way of decision.

“I’ve brought in some of the best guys I could get my hands on in BJJ. My fight camp in the last few months has been getting ready for Jacare, who’s one of the best grapples in MMA history. I’ve done nothing but prepare for Jacare and this fight,” continued the former Green Beret sniper. “He’s a hard guy to wear down. He’s an athletic specimen. I’m definitely going to bring the fight to him the whole time. I hope he gets tired – that would be cool.”

On top of the championship clashes, “Strikeforce – Houston” also features lightweights Jorge Gurgel and KJ Noons facing each other in hopes of advancing one step closer to a crack at the 155-pound title and former professional wrestler Bobby Lashley facing 8-1 Chad Griggs.

Stay tuned to Five Ounces of Pain on Saturday night for live coverage from the event!

In attendance were Strikeforce fighters “King Mo” Lawal, Bobby Lashley,KJ Noons, and Tim Kennedy (a former Army Special Forces sniper and Green Beret). Also attending and talking to patients was MMA fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller, who is in town this week with Lawal’s camp.

Saturday’s fights will take place from the Toyota Center in Houston LIVE on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

In the main event of a World Championship Doubleheader, undefeated Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight Champion “King Mo’’ (7-0) will make the first defense of his crown against highly touted Brazilian Rafael “Feijao’’ Cavalcante (9-2). In the co-feature, Kennedy (12-2) and world-class submission specialist Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (12-2-1) will battle for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight (185 pounds) title. Kennedy has served six tours of duty in the Middle East and is one of MMA’s fastest rising stars.

Unbeaten heavyweight Lashley will take on MMA veteran and Tucson , Ariz. , firefighter Chad Griggs in a featured bout. In another televised fight on Showtime, Noons (9-2) will face BJJ blackbelt Jorge Gurgel (13-6) in a lightweight (155 pounds) match.

Photo Credit – Esther Lin / Strikeforce

Kennedy recently took some time to speak with media during a conference call and offered his thoughts on a number of subjects related to the championship clash with Souza, including the difference training full-time has had his skill-level, his preparation for the Brazilian’s elite jiujitsu ability, and how he’s approaching the overall fight against “Jacare”.

“The only thing you can do when you are preparing for an event like this is prepare for every possibility. I’ve brought in the best guys in the world. Every night I have had five or ten black belts…trying to get prepared. I am prepared and excited. I just want to get in there,” said Kennedy when asked about his mindset only a week out from the fight. “This isn’t the other types of fighting. This is MMA. Every position that we are going to be in, I have the intent on trying to damage him. He is a very talented fighter. It’s going to be one of those brutal violent fights. I am fully prepared to go on the ground with him and every time he gets on the ground with me it’s going to hurt cause I have been training.”

Kennedy, who had previously split his time between developing technique at the gym and serving the country, continued on the subject of how increased training has affected him since focusing 100% on Mixed Martial Arts.

“I can’t really narrow it down to one thing. I had an opportunity to train with the best guys, real sparring partners, grappling partners. It’s not like I go to the nearest Green Beret and say can you come over here. I need someone to work out with. I am in a world class training center with some of the best strength coaches in the world. I have a personal strength coach, and all of the things that have never been in place through my whole entire fight career are finally there. I have people who know how to coach people and I have never had coaches before. I have been a self-coached fighter. Now it is a treat to have a guy who says you look like crap because it makes me want to do it better. Every single aspect of my fight game can change for the better since I have started training full time ten months ago.”

When the topic of how he sees the title-fight unfolding against Souza came up, or whether or not the involvement of Strikeforce’s middleweight championship played a role in his preparation, the 185-pounder responded, “This is just a fight. I have a lot of respect for Jacare. I think he is a very talented athlete. We are going out there trying to knock each other out or submit each other. There is no added pressure. This fight is no different than any other. It is a lot less stressful than anything I do overseas because I’m not getting shot at. This is fun; this is the good part of my life.”

“We are talking about the most accomplished grappler ever to be in MMA so it would be silly of me to make the assumption that I can go out there and have my way with him on the ground. So I have to be very careful in any position we are in, not even on the ground. He can finish fights with some pretty amazing standing submissions. It is going to be a very dangerous fight the whole entire time, I can’t make any mistakes. Controlling the takedowns and controlling the pace are the keys to victory,” continued Kennedy on the match-up. “I think both of us have the tools to win on both our feet or on the ground. I think it is going to be a mental war, going in there and knowing that this could be and probably will be a five-round exciting fight. I’m not going to quit. You are going to have to put me out. This is a good fight, a big fight. I’m excited for it. I don’t think there is any one key for winning.”

In closing, Kennedy kept simple. “It’s an honor to be on a card like this and fight such a talented fighter like Jacare. I promise I am going to go out there and put on a good show I am in the best shape of my life. I am excited about this fight. Go buy your tickets and come to the show. It is going to be awesome!’’

In addition to Kennedy vs. Souza for the middleweight title, “Strikeforce – Houston” also features “King Mo” Lawal defending his light heavyweight championship against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, undefeated Bobby Lashley facing Chad Griggs, and KJ Noons putting his boxing skills up against UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel’s BJJ and energetic pace. The event will be available for viewing on Showtime.

Stay tuned to Five Ounces of Pain for live coverage from Houston this weekend!

The event has been slated for September 25 from the SpiritBank Event Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The main card will be broadcast live on Showtime.

A six-year Army veteran that was wounded in battle during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kennedy recently took a job with the Texas National Guard to focus more of his time towards his career as a professional fighter. Known for the dynamite in his hands and a strong wrestling game, Kennedy has put together an impressive record of 10-2 while compiling wins over the likes of Hector Urbina, Jason “Mayhem” Miller and most recently, Nick Thompson at the Strikeforce Challengers card that was held on June 19.

Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos is the husband to Strikeforce female title challenger Cris “Cyborg” Santos and will be stepping into his thirtieth professional mixed martial arts bout when he faces off with Kennedy in Tulsa. He’s known for tenacious aggresion and vicious strikes. Cyborg’s most recent performance was a hard fought battle between himself and Joey Viilasenor. The fight went back and forth, but Santos eventually wound up on the losing end of a split decision.

Although Cyborg is known for his punishing stand-up arsenal, surprisingly he expects this bout with a fellow striker may inevitably end up on the canvas.

“I believe I will be able to do the opposite this time from the Villasenor fight where we stood up and punched each other,” speculated Santos. “I think I will finally be able to show my Jiu-Jitsu game and surprise a lot of people.”

Kennedy, who surprised many by electing to take the well versed submission artist Nick Thompson to the ground in his last fight, likes to keep things unpredictable. A trend he promises to bring into his upcoming bout with Cyborg in September.

“I don’t think anybody can really plan to see what I’m coming in to do this time,” explained Kennedy. “I’m working with the best boxing coaches and training with Mark DeLaGrotte, one of the best MMA striking coaches in the world, so I think that people are going to see a new Tim that they’ve never seen before.”

When US Army Special Forces Green Beret Tim Kennedy stands across from Nick “The Goat” Thompson this evening at Strikeforce Challengers it will be a far cry from the combat this real American hero has seen over the past couple of years of his life. Assault rifle powered bullets whizzing by his head and shrapnel exploding at every angle make facing a single man under MMA rules a walk in the park for Kennedy.

And to think that none of decorated serviceman and fighter’s accomplishments may have been possible without a man that answers to the name of Chuck Norris. Fascinated by martial arts since he caught his first glimpse of “Invasion USA“, the youngster knew the direction he was heading early on in life.

After more than a year and a half layoff Kennedy has returned to get back to where he once was in the fight world when he jumps back in the game against the most dangerous and well rounded opponent Strikeforce could hunt down for him.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com had the chance to catch up with Kennedy just before his fight with Thompson to discuss his plans to return to California to train with The Pit and AKA, his constant desire to finish his fights, Chuck Norris and much more.

Cory Brady for FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Is it true that Chuck Norris played a certain role in your ultimate decision to become involved in martial arts?

Tim Kennedy: He definitely played a major role in me deciding to pursue martial arts. There’s like four Chuck Norris movies that I would watch over and over when I was like six or seven years old. I’d watch one of those movies and I’d run into my bedroom and practice all the moves. I’d practice all of my moves in front of this big huge mirror that my parents have. My parents have a video of me right after watching Invasion USA when I run in my bedroom and practice my karate chop.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: This fight with Nick Thompson is going to be your first fight back in about a year and a half. What was the reason for the recent layoff?

Tim Kennedy: I had a couple of deployments. I had to go to Afghanistan during the last year, just doing my military Green Beret thing.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Do you anticipate ring rust becoming a factor?

Tim Kennedy: I think it’s just going to be back to business as usual. The Dante Rivera fight was my first fight back in over a year and a half. He was 9-1 at the time and I had just been out of Ranger school for a couple of weeks. I had lost twenty something pounds at Ranger school and then I TKO’d him in the second round. I feel like ring rust is a reflection of how hard you’ve been sparring, how hard you’ve been working, and just the mentality. Last year guys were shooting at me and trying to blow me up, I’m going to funerals of my friends, so flying to Kent, Washington to fight on Strikeforce, I’m excited about it, but it’s not really nerve wrecking.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Are you planning on staying relatively active after this bout with Thompson?

Tim Kennedy: I’m going to be fighting as much as my body will permit. There are no other things that are going to be affecting my timeline at this point. I want to fight every couple of months. Before I came to the military, mixed martial arts wasn’t what it is right now. We used to fight at Indian Casinos, in Mexico, some barenuckle stuff in Florida. It seemed like I was traveling every month or so to get in on something, whether it be a Pancrase tournament, or a fight in Mexico, and I miss that. I miss being able to fight all of the time.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: How do you balance your training time along with being full time in the army?

Tim Kennedy: Well right now I’m training full time. I have worked for the military pretty much non-stop for the last five or six years. I can’t think of a thirty day time period that i was at home with my wife. I was either deployed or at school for the past five years non-stop. So I’m taking a break, I’m training. That’s what I want to do. I’m training right now two or three times a day. It’s unreal. I’ve never felt this strong, I’ve never been this fast, it’s a night and day difference between training full time and trying to balance it with the military.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: I know you spent a great deal of time with The Pit before making the move to Team Roc. Do you feel like the change of scenery is going to help you in this bout with Thompson.

Tim Kennedy: I think that the time I spent training at The Pit gave me a foundation that I couldn’t have received anywhere else. Chuck is the best light heavyweight champion the UFC has ever seen and probably ever will. Being able to go in the ring and have a guy like that to work with is priceless. I have a huge debt of gratitude to those guys. I can’t wait to get back to California. I’m relocating there in a couple of months and I’m going to be training back and forth with The Pit and AKA.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What are some of the key areas you have been focusing on in the gym since your last win?

Tim Kennedy: I’ve been working on my striking a lot. I have that Pit foundation so I throw a lot of those big looping powershots. When they land they’re major knockouts but when they don’t we’re vulnerable to counter punching. I’ve been working my footwork and head movement a lot. I don’t like getting hit very much so I’m trying to not get hit as often.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: How do you feel you match up with Nick?

Tim Kennedy: It’s a really interesting match-up. He and I have really conflicting styles in the stand up. He’s a fast counter puncher with a really nasty jab, and like to be on the outside throwing big haymakers. I have a really good chin and I’m pretty much willing to exchange a couple of his jabs for a couple of my left hooks or right hands. He’s taller than I am and I’m pretty sure that the height will be an issue so I’ll be trying to get inside to land some power shots. I kind of foresee a stand up brawl going down.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Nick is well know for his ground game as well. Have you been spending some extra time preparing to defend the takedown in this bout?

Tim Kennedy: I’ve definitely been working my takedowns lately. He’s really dominant when he’s on top so if I could have it my way I’m keeping this on the feet.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Only one of your wins have gone to the scorecards. Would you say that it’s important that you are known as the kind of fighter that finishes his fights?

Tim Kennedy: I really don’t like those guys that are in there just to get the win. I think it’s the wrong answer. I think it’s wrong for the sport and I think that it’s the wrong mentality for martial arts. I have a lot of fans that are in the military and I think it’s the wrong way to display what me and my brothers do when we’re fighting. It’s one thing if the guys both go the distance while constantly looking for the finish, but to spend the whole fight counter punching and waiting for the other guy to make the mistake, what kind of fight is that?

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What can fans expect for Tim Kennedy in the future?

Tim Kennedy: In the next year or two I’m looking at getting a crack at the title. It may not be in the next three or four fights but regardless of the ups or downs that are to come, I’m definitely going to be sticking around and you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Tim Kennedy: I want to give a big shout out to RangerUp.com. They’ve been taking care of me for the past three years. Those guys are my brothers. I also want to thank Soldiers Angels. It’s a non-profit organization for hurt soldiers. They’re an amazing group of people. Of course I want to thank Max Muscle for giving me all of the supplements to help me get ready for this fight. I also want to thank all of the guys at Team Roc for helping me train and I want to thank you for taking the time.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: You got it Tim, thank you and good luck.

Five Ounces of Pain learned of the news from sources within the industry late last week. The news has yet to be confirmed by officials with Strikeforce or representatives of Kennedy. His debut could take place during a Strikeforce Challengers event on Friday, June 19.

If a deal can be finalized, Strikeforce will have landed a coveted free agent that several other major promotions, including the UFC, have been pursuing.

Kennedy, 9-2, has not competed since a first round knockout of Elias Rivera during the now-defunct IFL’s World Grand Prix finals on Dec. 29, 2007. The two-plus year hiatus was due to the fact that Kennedy has remained an active member of the United States Army while pursuing his fighting career. He was deployed overseas early last year and did not return until this past December.

During an exclusive interview with FiveOuncesOfPain.com this past January, Kennedy revealed that he had been injured in an IED (improvised explosive device) attack prior to finishing his deployment.

“I got a little bit of shrapnel wounds; some to my face and some to my arm,” Kennedy said. “And then when I was trying to pick a guy up who was a part of the explosion, I didn’t permanently injure anything in my biceps but my adrenaline was going and his body was kind of heavy. As far as recovery, I am 100 percent.”
Since returning to the States, Kennedy has intensified his training in preparation for his return to MMA.

Limited to being a part-time fighter for the majority of his eight-year pro MMA career, it is expected that Kennedy will now be allowed to fight full-time while still remaining an active member of the United States Armed Forces.

With notable wins in his career over Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Dante Rivera, Hector Urbina, and Ryan McGivern, Kennedy would be an integral part of a Strikeforce middleweight division that includes champion Cung Le, former champion Frank Shamrock, Scott Smith, Robbie Lawler, and Benji Radach.

In 2007, Kennedy received national exposure by challenging Jason “Mayhem” Miller in the co-main event of an HDNet Fights card in Dallas, Texas and then fighting again two and a half weeks later during the IFL’s World Grand Prix finals in Uncasville, Connecticut.

While 2007 ended in a big way, 2008 was a quiet year for Kennedy when it came to his fighting career. He was unable to take any fights because his primary employer, the United States Army, needed him for several important missions.

For the past several months, Tim has authored a blog on Five Ounces of Pain entitled “Letters from a Foreign Land.” In his blogs, Tim chronicled some of his experiences that he encountered while on some of his missions. Regular readers know that Kennedy and his unit were not on a peace keeping mission and that they encountered hostile forces on a regular basis.

We’re pleased to be able to let everyone know that Tim is now back home with his family. And thanks to Tim’s manager, Nick Palmisciano of Ranger Up, we were able to speak with him and updated on how he’s been doing. Below is a transcript of our conversation with him in which Tim discussed injuries sustained while deployed, the logistics in producing a blog for Five Ounces of Pain, what life was like on the battlefield, along with his plans for 2009.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): We had heard through your manager, Nick Palmisciano of Ranger Up, that you were injured in the field recently. He assured us you were okay but we were still concerned. Now that you can talk about the situation, can you update everyone on exactly what happened and how you’re doing right now?

Tim Kennedy: I was working in [deleted for operational security]  with pretty much the greatest combat unit on the planet and we there to help give the people there an opportunity at a free life. It just so happens that some of the people there aren’t really up for it. They don’t like the idea of people not being underneath their thumb. We were there providing some aid to a village and we got IED’d (improvised explosive device) pretty part as a part of an ambush. I got a little bit of shrapnel wounds; some to my face and some to my arm. And then when I was trying to pick a guy up who was a part of the explosion, I didn’t permanently injure anything in my biceps but my adrenaline was going and his body was kind of heavy. As far as recovery, I am 100 percent. I’m doing doing two to three workouts a day right now and loving it.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): How long have you been back home now?

Tim Kennedy: I got home right before Christmas. Just in time to spend the holidays with my family.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): Were you able to finish your deployment or did you come back home early due to the injuries?

Tim Kennedy: Oh no, I finished my deployment. I’d probably have to be dead for me not to finish deployment.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): While in the field, you were doing an awesome blog with us that was one of the most popular things we’ve published on the site. Nick did a great job in bringing the content to us and coordinating everything. Logistically, what were some of the obstacles regarding what you could and couldn’t say and also just sitting down and writing?

Tim Kennedy: The Internet was sometimes an obstacle (laughs). I’d be in the field for any given period of time ranging from three days to three or four weeks with no phone, no cell, and no Internet. I’d try to get my writing done during those times but I’m a terrible writer so by the time I got back and got all of it on a computer I could see all of those red squiggly lines underneath it showing how pathetic a speller I am.

So logistically the issues were just getting it to Nick so that he could proof read it. I would even mess up and put things in it that I shouldn’t. Opsec, which is operational security, is a really important thing with ongoing missions. You can’t really say where you are, what you’re doing, how long you’re going to be there, and when you’re coming back — all the things to help ensure a troop’s protection. These are things that are not to ever be published for anybody. It just puts everyone at risk. Even with that always in the forefront of my mind, I still made mistakes. In mid-paragraph I’d write something like, “We’re holed up here at this elevation.” Well, somebody can figure out where you are just by the elevation. So it’s a no-go. Fortunately, Nick is pretty savvy and has prior military service so he’d pick up on all the mistakes I would make and clean up my poor writing.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): It’s interesting to hear you talk about operational security because my cousin is in the Navy and is currently deployed. Because of where he is, my aunt and uncle tell me that Naval officials are constantly monitoring calls to make sure nobody says anything they shouldn’t. Is the Army the same way?

Tim Kennedy: I couldn’t really say what they monitor but the Army, they’re not trying to “Big Brother” us. So in everything that they do, they’re not trying to censor us. They’re just trying to protect their troops while in the field. And I being the guy that’s in the field all the time, I really don’t want somebody who is in the back talking to his mom saying “Oh, we’re so tired because we were loading this guy’s truck so he could go out today.” That’s the last thing I want to be said over an open line. So while they might monitor us, it’s always with the best intentions. They’re just keeping the troops safe.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): During your third blog, you casually write about how you had just gotten back from a firefight that was worse than the movie “Hairspray.” It was surreal reading that because you talked about it like it was nothing more than just a bad day at the office. How many firefights was your unit involved in during your most recent tour? How regular was armed combat a part of life for you?

Tim Kennedy: (Pauses)… In all seriousness, every time that we would wherever we were, we would get into a gunfight. And we would leave almost every day. I’m in a different situation in that I’m able to move around to different places while I was in country and so the teams in some of the places they are, every time they would leave they would be getting shot at, blown up, RPG’d (rocket propelled grenade), IED’d every time. It was just kind of like, “Alright, we’re going to go out and we’re going to get shot at probably right around this area and we’re probably going to get blown up and RPG’d right around this area. Let’s get ready to go. Let’s make sure we’ve got our beans and bullets.”

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): Coming from a civilian perspective, I can’t imagine or comprehend what it would be like being under the constant threat of fire. I’ve just got to ask, how do you cope with that? Or is there even a way to cope with it?

Tim Kennedy: Well, the guys that I am working with, they’re the best trained in the Army. They’re the highest screened in the Army. They’ve gone through more tests than anyone and are perfectly selected for this job. Everybody that is in the Army has a great job and is doing an excellent service for their country. But some of the guys I work with, they’re the best and this is what they’ve been training their whole lives for.

I know this sounds corny, but some guys were riding by on a motorcycle and threw some acid in some little girls’ faces simply because they were going to school. The [deleted for operational security] that’s there don’t think that girls should go to school so they threw acid in this little girls’ faces. We have medics that are with us and they’re treating these girls and we’re not looking for retribution or revenge, but it’s a big motivator to have a 13-year old girl in front of you that’s just been burnt. Knowing that you might be helping make a difference, you begin to think that maybe it is worth going out there and taking some risks. I think there are some things in life worth risking your life over. Having the right for a 13-year old girl to walk down the street and go to school I believe is one of them, regardless of where you live.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to ask you some fight related questions. Last year a report surfaced in the Army Times that you wouldn’t be re-enlisting so that you could pursue MMA full-time. Could you update us on the latest regarding that?

Tim Kennedy: Right now the Army has reached a middle ground with me where they say that I can fight, which is awesome. I love the Army and I love the opportunities that they’ve provided me and my family. And the opportunity for me to go out and represent the Army as a fighter is going to be awesome.

With that said, the unit that I am in, the amount of work that we do, there just aren’t enough hours in a day. So I am going to have to make a choice — and that’s where I am at right now — whether I am going to make exceptions and make time for me to slip into training like I have been for the past three, four, five years and try to be a full-time fighter and a full-time solider and still be able to put everything into it? I really want to see where a full-time fight career is going to take me and I am pretty confident that’s where 2009 is going to lead.

I have a lot of things lined up. I haven’t signed anything but I’ve expressed a lot of intentions to certain people and I’m sure you guys will be the first to know when that happens. I think you’re going to see me fight a whole bunch in 2009 and I’ll be training full-time.

Sam Caplan: Will the injuries you suffered have an impact on how you perform in the ring or cage?

Tim Kennedy: Well, I think I am nastier (laughs). Put a chunk of metal into some one’s body and I think it might fire them up a little bit. Just like in the one article: try and take a pomegranate from me and I might get a little fired up. Well, a chunk of metal in my body is a little bigger deal than a little pomegranate.

This morning I just did an hour of a crossfit workout with some friends from church and some guys from the unit that I work in. And then this afternoon we were out there we did some wind sprints and I also just got done with almost a two-hour long sparring session. Tomorrow it’s going to be more of the same. It’s probably going to be more of the same Saturday when I’ll figure out something disgusting to do to my body. I’m pretty motivated right now and the prospect of fights that I have coming up, I can’t do it half-ass. I can’t do it 50/50. I’m bringing in some of the best black belts on the East Coast to train with me on the ground as well as some Division I wrestlers. I’m trying to find some of the best sparring partners and I think you’re going to see a freakishly new Tim Kennedy in 2009.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): During a Q&A at a local Fort Bragg sports bar, a fan asked Dana White if the UFC was interested in you. Dana looked right over at Joe Silva and it was a pretty adamant “yes.” Are you currently negotiating with the UFC?

Tim Kennedy: That’s a question my manager will have to answer right now because I can’t because I’m not supposed to.

Sam Caplan (FiveOuncesOfPain.com): I had a chance to cover “Fight for the Troops” and it was an amazing experience getting to go onto Fort Bragg and seeing how everyone lived. I also got to meet Bill White from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and he explained to me just how many members of the Armed Forces are coming home having suffered brain injuries. Seeing as much combat as you did, I can only assume that some of your colleagues didn’t come back home 100 percent. Can you give us a soldier’s perspective what life is like for a lot of troops that come home after having sustained a serious injury in the field?

Tim Kennedy: (Pauses)… None of my injuries are bad. But some of the guys coming back now, I couldn’t imagine having to deal with some of the things that their families are dealing with. You want to see some courage? Go to a soldier’s home and watch that mom who has been by herself for the past ten months. She’s been taking care of two kids while her husband has been fighting in some foreign land and comes back burnt or his brain is swollen from an explosion. There is not only courage inside of a solider but also within his family at home.

I can’t empathetically say what their life is like because I’ve never been there but my wife, myself, and our church, we spend a lot of our free time helping these guys out. And in a community like ours, these people are my brothers. I’d bleed for them in a heartbeat. They are the greatest guys on the planet and they’d do the same for me. And it just isn’t on the battlefield; when they come back home you’ve got to be there for them as much as you would be when they’re deployed.

I hope I never have the experience where I can say what it’s actually like, but from the helping hands aspect, I just know that every solider has to be there for their brothers. Nobody understands how long that recovery process takes and how much goes into it. This woman has been taking care of her kids for the past ten months by herself and now she has to take care of her husband too. And not much support is there. It’s hard. It’s painful. It’s tough. And part by the grace of God and some brothers from the service, these people can actually get through it sometimes.

Editor’s Note: For those who would like to support injured members of the United States Armed Forces, please visit the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at: http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

This is my tree. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

There are certain things that you learn to live without in my line of work. I miss some of them more than others. I love art, live music, and the feeling of my gigantic bed with my down comforter on top of it. But of all the things that are kept from me in this wonderful country, I miss great food the most. Don’t get me wrong an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) is delicious cuisine. Still, after being on a mission for a week, then killing myself in a two hour workout that results in bleeding shins and locals running away from me because they think I am a white American demon brought to Earth to throw anything he can pick up and jump on anything he MIGHT be able to clear…well…a huge pile of Penang Curry would go a long way.

This leads me to the latest instance where everyone I’m co-located with reaffirmed their already pre-existing belief that I am truly insane. We had just finished a three-day firefight that, in short, sucked worse than that movie where John Travolta plays a girl.

However, as we were leaving this God forsaken valley I looked over and saw what I can only describe as one of the most beautiful things my eyes had ever beheld. There before me was a pomegranate tree. This wasn’t just any tree, this tree was green – really green – and let’s just say there aren’t a whole lot of living plants where I am working right now.

So there it is, in all its splendor, looking at me with its little green eyes, pretty much just pleading for someone to love it – to enjoy the fruit already waiting on it’s branches. There was no other course of action. I had to have it. I decided we (as in my entire team) were going to stop and transplant this gift from God away from this valley of murderers to my FOB (forward operating base). And that is exactly what we did. Yes, I was berated by my fellow soldiers who thought getting out of our vehicles at this juncture was near suicide, but I kept my eye on the prize. I knew that there was a greater good that had to be accomplished.

It didn’t take long for the story of my tree to spread. I wake up every morning, I walk over to MY pomegranate tree, water it, and check the fruits of my labor (pun intended). I have in the past few weeks enjoyed some of the most delicious arils my mouth has ever tasted. In case you don’t know, I’m from CA. The pomegranate is not indigenous to CA, but has been there long enough for me to claim it as a CA fruit. They’re a little taste of home. MY tree is outside my hut, and the unspoken rule is very clear – no one gets near it. I’m a pretty amicable guy outside the cage, but touch my tree and it will bring you a certain and painful death.

I don’t have a nutritionist. I don’t have a physical trainer. I don’t have a million dollar MMA facility. So I make up for it with extreme violence (sometimes taken out on inanimate objects), some creative workout plans, and now a pomegranate or two.

My tree is just the latest of my eccentricities that concern my fellow mates. On most missions I wear a hat with a big fat peace sign emblazoned on it. I’m not trying to do the “Full Metal Jacket” ‘duality of man’ thing – seriously, you can ask my wife. I just like the hat. The pomegranate tree, the peace sign hat, and my love of “classic” 80s tunes is the trifecta that makes me the weirdest guy in country. We might be rolling onto a target, and out of my vehicle someone just might hear some classic Prince, or perhaps even Madonna.

If I were a bad guy and I looked out my window and beheld a bunch of dudes who look like I look (220 lbs., beard, way too many guns for a single person, and one of them in a peace sign hat) rolling into my hood, and they were listening to Duran Duran while they ate pomegranates, I would pretty much surrender right there and then. Either that, or I would decide that this group of infidels wasn’t worth the effort and explosives it would take to blow up…plus then I’d have to run away before more of them showed up…and its hot outside today…I really don’t want to get all sweaty and sandy for these guys do I?

Anyway, assuming I don’t get blown up, shot, or otherwise made dead, I will be back in the good old USA soon, and I am fired up about it. For the first time since 2001, I will be fighting full time. Being a special operations soldier and being a professional fighter at the same time might sound like an easy gig, but I assure you it isn’t. Now I have my green light. I have been told to get as good as I can and win every title I can.

My new mission is to be the best fighter in the world. You’ve heard this from a lot of guys, so I know it might ring hollow, but I now have total clarity and total focus on the task ahead of me, and I’m not big on failure.

My future opponents have something to fear. I will be spending every waking moment with the best guys in the industry. They are going to have to lock me out of the gym. I’m not going to be taking for granted the fact that I now have real mats and rings to train with. I won’t be taking a fight only days after graduating Ranger School. I’ll be 100% ready and focused. Even worse for that next opponent, he will have to deal with me imagining that he just stole my last pomegranate. It might seem funny to some of you, but when you have been deployed where I’ve been and seen what I’ve seen you realize a single piece of fruit is a really big deal…and that guy across the cage just took mine.

Thanks again for all your support! Happy Thanksgiving!

Tim “TKO” Kennedy

A Note from Tim: I communicate almost exclusively using verbal sarcasm. So using this medium of communication (writing) is rather challenging. Please be forgiving.

Today, as I was sitting around looking at the other men in my unit, I commented that we led really privileged lives. Other suckers have to pay thousands of dollars to tour different exotic countries and experience unique cultures, whereas I get PAID (while not very much) to do the same thing. Granted, I’m sure that when you pay for the trip, instead of cruising on Uncle Sam’s dollar, you don’t get shot at, blown up, or not get to bathe for weeks at a time, but it still seems like a pretty sweet deal.

I realize that many of you don’t come from a military background, so from time to time I will try to explain a few things that will help you understand my ramblings.

Here goes:

I live on a FOB. FOBs or Forward Operating Bases are bases located forward (Tim, did anyone ever tell you not to use the words you are trying to define in the definition? Screw you, Tim! Am I arguing with myself again?) into unfriendly terrain with the purpose of securing ground and providing support to the locals. In actuality, FOBs are targets located in hostile territory surrounded by people that are not sympathetic to your cause. To add to that fun, resources tend to be extremely limited, making mission accomplishment very challenging – but hey, that’s what I signed up for – if it was easy, they’d call it mortgage derivatives trading, right? I mean – who could screw that up?

Now that you understand that I live miles away from anything useful surrounded by people that generally don’t like me despite my sunny disposition, you will appreciate the fact that training for my next fight with ORGANIZATION when I get back can prove rather challenging.

Tim Kennedy sporting his "Ranger Panties"

Anyone that has ever met me knows I am somewhat energetic, but I’m a freak when it come to physical conditioning. Not working out two to three times a day drives me absolutely insane. In case you missed it when I whined about this previously, we have somewhat limited supplies at my current home away from home (have no fear this will not dissuade me). (I love parenthesis) “and quotation marks”.

Anyhow…Like I was saying…THIS WILL NOT DISSUADE ME! Anyone can do pushups or go for a run. Many may even find some graspable object located 5-8 feet off the ground for pull ups, but when you know your opponent is in some Dolph Lundgren-like altitude chamber using $300k worth of gym equipment while eating the best food money can buy, you realize you have to do your best to make things a little more fun, if not more imaginative. So I work with what I’ve got.

In the Army there are always certain things in abundance: Crap, lots of crap especially in a combat area – scrap metal, car chassis, goats, etc.. We basically blow things up, or get things blown up around us, leaving me with plenty of material to work with. My typical approaches are as follows:

1. Find some Crap.

2. Try to jump on top of it. If you can, then see how many times you can do it without smashing your legs against “it”. This is tricky. Box jumping is a science and an art. You have to know your ability, and more importantly, how to gauge your ability. I use landmarks on my own body. At first I was jumping things waist high. Then I would move up one rib at a time. I’m sure you can imagine the locals seeing this crazy white guy walk up to some inanimate object, and then jump on top of it and then walk up to something a little taller and try it again. And then the inevitable occurs – I eat it, bust my shins, and fall on my face… Not to worry, though – repeating this chain of events has enabled me to now jump things at nipple height! Isn’t that exciting?!?!? I also have bruises up and down my legs which I think of as a bonus.

3. Throw it. I love finding all these things that once served a useful purpose and seeing how far I can throw them…and then running to it, picking it up, turning around and throwing it again. I do this until the thing I’m trying to throw ends up trying to throw me. The heavier, and more awkward the object is, the better. I look at this as yet another opportunity to impress the local audience, who for some reason are always watching (at some distance now) with a certain mild trepidation. They’re not sure what is going on, or the reason for me yelling every time I chuck a transmission. All they know is something strange is going on and they don’t want to miss it.

4. And lastly – my favorite: Slamming! While it’s fun to pick heavy things up, it’s even more fun to throw them down. I mean straight down. Tires, ammo cans, water bottles – you name it and I bet you I can slam the living daylight out of it. It all sounds simple enough. Find something heavy, pick it up, slam, and repeat. In truth, however, a lot more goes in to it. First of all you have to make sure that you don’t slam yourself, which just hurts. Second, you need to ensure that the thing that you are slamming will not in some way be able to attack you after you slam it(you would be surprised at how vicious a tire is if slammed incorrectly). Finally, you have to take the audience into consideration (their fear is palpable during the slamming process). Even though they are now standing even further away the last thing you need is a dead local from a armored truck tire that went awry.

If any of you find yourself in INSERT MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY HERE, please feel free to use my regime.
Well, that’s it for now. As always, thanks for your support.

– Tim “TKO” Kennedy

Despite an impressive 9-2 record with notable victories over Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Dante Rivera, Ryan McGivern, and Hector Urbina, Kennedy has yet to breakthrough into the sport’s upper-echelon at 185 pounds.

The issue for Kennedy has been that since 2001, he has competed in just 11 pro bouts. His part-time fight schedule can be directly attributed to the fact that he’s Staff Sargent with the United States Army.

But things could be about to change for Kennedy, as the Army Times is reporting that Kennedy plans to go on terminal leave in the fall and eventually leave the Army. His enlistment ends on Jan. 5.

Kennedy apparently considered re-enlisting but the article indicates his bosses at Special Operations Command are currently preventing him from competing in civilian MMA fights. After five years in the military, Kennedy was put in a position where he has to make a choice.

Kennedy’s decision is notable because after compiling a perfect 3-0 record in the IFL, he is considered one of the top unsigned talents in this sport. A tremendous all-around fighting talent, Kennedy also comes with a backstory that would make any promoter drool.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com has spoken to several sources with top major MMA promotions in recent months that have confirmed their interest in Kennedy. Once they hear that he is going to pursue MMA on a full-time basis, their interest level is likely only to increase.

EliteXC just announced during the broadcast of EliteXC: Return of the King that Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith will face off in a rematch for the EliteXC middleweight title on CBS on July 26.Smith was on hand to talk to the broadcast team and said that his eye as well as his foot are both fine and he is ready to fight. So there you have it, folks. EliteXC on CBS in July is now official.