UFC Fighter Tim Kennedy Claims ISIS Is Threatening Him

UFC middleweight fighter Tim Kennedy has stated that terrorist group ISIS has been threatening him, according to Army Times’  Michelle Tan. 

Kennedy is also a sergeant first class with the Texas National Guard, and posted on his Facebook page Wednesday that he has partnered up with the FBI in light of the recent threats. He claims he receives between five and ten threats through social media each day.

“Just spoke to the FBI regarding some recent credible threats towards me by #ISIS,” Kennedy wrote. “They were not overly thrilled with my response … ‘Let those cowards come.’”

Many of the threats were deemed credible by the FBI: “Apparently a couple of them were legitimate in trying to, from what the FBI said, plan stuff,” Kennedy added.

Kennedy recently started Sheepdog Response, a group focused on teaching others to protect themselves in areas like grappling, weapons and situational awareness, which he explains causes him to feel even less deterred by the threats.

“What’s the definition of terrorism? It’s to achieve an objective through the use of force and fear,” said Kennedy. “These are just nasty, evil, disgusting human beings who disrespect human life. I teach people how to live with threats like this. Who would I be to be cowering to a bunch of gutless cowards acting like a bunch of tough guys online?”

Kennedy, 36, is currently the sixth-ranked UFC fighter in the middleweight division. His career record is 18-5-0.

PHOTO: ALBUQUERQUE, NM – APRIL 2: UFC middleweight weight contender Tim Kennedy laces up his shoes before warming up during an open training session for fans and media at the Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts and Fitnesson April 2, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo by Aaron Sweet/Getty Images)