Erik Prince Forces Suffer Heavy Casualties in Congo Ambush; Ex-UFC Fighter Injured
Blackwater founder Erik Prince’s security contractors experienced a significant battlefield setback in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with sources reporting around 20 casualties, including former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy.
Forces associated with Erik Prince, the founder of the defunct private military company Blackwater, sustained substantial losses during an ambush in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-September. At least 20 individuals were reported killed or wounded in the attack, which also injured former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contestant Tim Kennedy, according to sources familiar with the government and Prince's company.
The incident highlights the expanding role of Prince's current firm, Vectus Global, in Congo. The company provides security and consulting services and had previously assisted the Congolese army in securing Uvira, a city in South Kivu province, against rebels backed by Rwanda. The extent of Prince's forces in Congo remains unclear.
Sources close to the Congolese government stated that the Sept. 17 attack resulted in approximately 20 casualties, comprising both dead and wounded. Among the deceased were at least seven Congolese nationals and one former member of New Zealand’s Special Forces. Kennedy, the former mixed martial arts fighter, was reportedly wounded by three gunshots to the leg and is receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. Another foreign contractor was also wounded.
A representative for Vectus Global declined to comment on the incident. Sources with direct knowledge of the operation indicated that the company had not previously suffered casualties in Congo.
One source with ties to the Congolese government suggested that Rwandan forces, supporting the M23 rebel group, may have located Prince's team by tracking a surveillance drone. The sophistication of the ambush suggests Rwandan military involvement, according to two other sources.
Kennedy, a father of four, is a popular figure with a significant social media following and a YouTube podcast channel. He has shared his perspectives on various topics, including politics and culture. Former President Donald Trump, a proponent of UFC, has hosted events at the White House.
Representatives for the Congolese and Rwandan governments, as well as the M23 rebel group, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. State Department and Walter Reed also declined to comment. Kennedy’s parents did not respond to inquiries.
Prince's involvement in Congo reportedly began with efforts to secure mineral reserves and improve revenue collection in the country's mineral-rich eastern region, an area affected by protracted conflict. In January and February, Prince’s forces were deployed to Uvira after a U.S.-brokered agreement led to the withdrawal of Rwandan-backed rebels from the strategic town.
The United Nations and Western nations have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, allegations that Rwanda denies. The conflict in eastern Congo intensified in early 2026, with M23 fighters making significant territorial gains in a region abundant in minerals such as tantalum, gold, and lithium.