Former Green Beret sniper and MMA fighter Tim Kennedy, 45, has spoken out in defense of the Army soldier who blew himself up outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Years Day in a Cybertruck. 

Kennedy appeared alongside Matthew Livelsberger, 37, in a 2013 military-style reality TV show entitled Ultimate Soldier Challenge that saw the pair compete in grueling soldier-skills challenges.

In sharing what he remembered about Livelsberger, who was known as 'Matt Burg' on the show, Kennedy said he believes his one-time friend's actions were that of a 'broken' man.  

'This doesn't seem like a bad apple. It seems like somebody that was hurt or broken or very scared,' Kennedy explained. 

'It's heartbreaking, and I truly hope this is a wake-up call for service members to check in with each other.

'There were five, six events we did in this reality competition show, mostly based around soldier skills, and in every instance, he was seemingly a great person. None of this checks out,' Kennedy explained.

Kennedy painted a picture of a man vastly different from the unhinged persona revealed in Livelsberger's disturbing letters that expose his descent into rage and violence.

'I really enjoyed the time I spent with him and found him incredibly competent and talented as a Special Forces operator. I was floored, to be honest. I didn't know what to do or say,' said a shocked Kennedy. 

The MMA fighter's reflections offer a window into the complexities of a man who, just years ago, had been excelling in both his military service while taking on challenges on the reality TV show.

'This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives,' Livelsberger wrote in one letter found by authorities

Livelsberger's military credentials and reputation left Kennedy reeling. 'Start to finish, categorically, he was a great dude,' Kennedy insisted.  

'He was fit, he was a good shooter, he was a good communicator. None of this checks out. He was a talented Green Beret, and everyone liked to work with him.'

The Green Berets are highly trained U.S. Army special forces who specialize in guerrilla warfare and unconventional fighting tactics.