Ultimate Fighter & Book Reader: Tim Kennedy
Published June 7, 2010
Seeing as we wrapped up last week with Jeanette’s excellent guest post on “man” books, I thought it appropriate to bring a man on who not only reads “man” books, but actually lives them. Meet my friend Tim Kennedy–mixed martial arts (MMA) professional fighter and full time Army man (Green Beret). He holds a degree in Criminal Justice and has served in the 7th Special Forces Group as well as on the best-of-the-best Commander’s Inextremis Force (among other elite and dangerous type things). Basically, he’s terrifying. To his opponents anyway. To those of us who grew up watching Star Wars and playing Marco Polo with him, he’s more like exceptionally intelligent with a make-you-pee-your-pants sense of humor and great smile (okay, and maybe a little terrifying—seriously, have you seen his muscles???).
Thanks to Ranger Up and Tim’s MMA Facebook Fan page for the photo.
Plus he’s got a beautiful, genius wife, Ginger, and two super sweet kids, which always makes a good man that much better 
. So here’s an interview I got to do with him off the cuff last week just for the fun of it—which surprised and pleased me beyond belief because he’s, like, really busy saving the world and stuff. So thanks a MILLION, Tim. And for the rest of you, Reading Friendlies: enjoy 
. (Tim’s responses are in green. My comments are obvious and interspersed wherever I feel like it.)
What’s the best novel of all time? Count of Monte Cristo. I do love, and have read, almost every book you recommend on your site. (What can I say? The man has great taste in websites…er, books–whatever.)
Title of the last novel you read? I’m reading the 3 part series by Stieg Larsson. Just finished The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Kind of graphic, but good read.
Who would win in a thumb-wrestling match–you or your wife? Depends on the rules… (Nice.)
If you were a superhero who would you be? Oh…wait…you are a superhero. Okay, so if you were a FICTIONAL superhero who would you be? Thor. He has such great hair… and he is also pretty bad a$$. (That noise you hear is me choking on my coffee and laughing at the same time. Just ignore it.)
If you hadn’t noticed, we are kind of into food on this blog. What are your top 3 favorite foods? I LOVE food. I cook all the time. I’m looking forward to retiring because I plan on going to culinary school. Ginger and I plan on opening up some restaurants. I’m a big fan of BBQ (done right), fondue, and sushi. My favorite things to cook are probably Thai and Italian. (I officially accuse you of being the perfect man. Aside from my husband of course.)
How often do you work out? I work out 3 times a day 4 days a week, 2 times a day 2 days a week, and then take the Sabbath off. (So basically just a tad more than I do. That’s cool. *stretches and discreetly flexes non-existent gun-boats at the computer screen*)
When’s your next fight (and where)? My next fight is against Trevor Prangley on June 16th live on Showtime at the Nokia center in LA. (Click MMA Mania for info on that.)
Can people still get tickets to it? Yes. Ticketmaster.
Last question: As kids we all used to run around your yard in underoos fighting off Darth Vader and his storm troopers. How formative was that (my own sweet fighting skills in particular) to your massively awesome current career? I’m pretty sure everyone knew at a very young age that I was either going to end up fighting in some form for a living or I would be in prison. Thank God I ended up fighting for a living. (Yes. The prison system is definitely safer for it. Um…wait a sec…so no comment on my sweet, influential fighting skills? Drat. Although come to think of it, I do remember having to be the wookie an awful lot… *shakes fist at all those I thought were my childhood friends*)
So…for those of you who want more on Tim’s Ultimate Fighting info, you can go to Ranger Up or MMA. Or for more on Tim’s culinary skills, you can go to…um…Tim? Maybe you should add an extra page to your website. You could call it “Cooking & Reading with Tim” or something. You could even do you tube videos. All in favor say “aye.”
What’s the mood noise of the moment? Gasoline Heart: Paralyzed
:0)
Tags: LA ultimate fight, MMA, Ranger Up, Tim Kennedy interview, Trevor Prangley, Ultimate fighter Tim Kennedy
06.7.2010 / 9:51 pm
“Aye” I loved this post, probably because I remember lots of interesting and chilling tidbits of Tim’s childhood. He had my heart the day he saved my son’s bacon during a paint ball game in the creek. (No details shared here, thank you very much.)
06.8.2010 / 8:27 am
Great post! I’m hoping the next one includes one of his favorite recipes.
06.8.2010 / 8:39 am
Hahaha… Fabulous idea, Lisa! I’ll ask him. (AFTER his fight–so I’m not being wretchedly cruel making him talk more about rich foods he can’t eat while training.) Love it.
How’s Rockford? Is he adoring his Grammie???
06.8.2010 / 9:55 am
Having come late to the game…er, I mean, church, I’ll just say that Tim pretty much always scared me… but this was a fun interview! “Aye” on the cooking and reading page and good luck on the upcoming fight!
06.8.2010 / 10:03 am
great interview,Mary. its weird seeing you guys grown up, being away from Atascadero for so long. i still remember us as kids(of course I’ll always be just a big kid).
06.8.2010 / 2:39 pm
Aye!! I’ll agree with the terrifying opinion. He once threatened to break both my boyfriend’s legs if he hurt me. It was pretty awesome. (Guy turned out to be a jerk… perhaps Tim has some prophetic giftings along with the big muscles?) Great interview Mary! I agree with Lisa, a recipe should definitely feature in the next one!
06.8.2010 / 4:54 pm
Great post Mary – “Aye” to the cooking – if he gets his skills from his mom then the restaurants will be full
And for the record – I once gave this terrifying superhero a bloody nose – how’s that for childhood fighting skills? ( I am purposefully leaving out the fact that he was incredibly prone to them way back when…)
06.8.2010 / 5:27 pm
Too funny. Tim and all those boys. Those memories make me smile.
For what its worth, I never got to be Princess Leia either! Someone must have, but who was it?
06.8.2010 / 5:35 pm
Tiffany???
06.10.2010 / 8:16 pm
You know, I have a very distinct childhood memory of being kicked out of a game of sardines taking place at the Kennedy house because “someone” said I was too loud. I was what? 5? I’m still bitter.
06.11.2010 / 9:12 am
Okay, I’m finally making my way back to my computer–not just keeping up with the conversation via googlephone (which is not nice on the clumsy typing fingers).
That said–Hi Joe! Thanks for the fun comments! Yes, we are grown up now…or so we like to think. (However, I hear it on good authority that SOME of us still act like kids. No evil childhood friends’ names mentioned.)
Lori, I agree on his mom’s cooking skills. I hope he opens a restaurant around here… Also, I would brag about the bloody nose thing too.
Kati, I love it when you’re bitter (as long as it’s not at me)
. You make me laugh. And, no offense, but if you were singing the Ariel “A Part of This World” song–then, yes, you were too loud. I complained to mom constantly about that though she never stopped you. Just sent you outside.
Emily, haha! Every boyfriend needs a good threatening at least once in his life. But usually more than once. More like 40 times, but who am I to keep track…
For the rest of you…when you feel scared of Tim–just remember that Lori gave him a bloody nose
.
06.18.2010 / 10:43 pm
UPDATE! UPDATE!!! Congratulations on your win, Tim!!! Under 4 minutes and you got him to tap out! VERY nice moves. The commentators kept complimenting you for being “highly skilled,” “possibly the best in your weight division” (duh), and “intelligently technical.” Good going, friend
.
07.11.2010 / 9:27 am
I think it is rather amazing that we share a favorite novel, the Count of Monte Cristo was absolutly amazing, I knew there was a reason we have gotten along so well for so long.