KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A local cab driver is recovering after being punched hard enough to send him to a hospital.

Jama Ali is a Somali immigrant with a wife and two children who has been driving a cab for two years. Ali told KMBC's Dan Weinbaum that he was at the Country Club Plaza looking for a fare late Sunday night when he was attacked.

Ali said he was waiting for a customer outside the old KC Masterpiece restaurant when he encountered three large men. One of the men punched Ali so hard, the cab driver fell to the ground.

Ali said he doesn't understand why he was attacked.

"I don't remember anything before the fighting -- I don't remember anything," Ali told KMBC in an intervie from his hospital room.

Ali's left eye is swollen shut from the punch. He said he is in pain, but is expected to recover.

"You ever have any trouble like this?" Weinbaum asked.

"No, never get trouble like this. This is the worst problem I got," Ali said.

Weinbaum reported that police are analyzing surveillance video of the attack and are interviewing witnesses.