Public Shooting Targets Former UFC Fighter
On Wednesday night, former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian was shot in a “targeted” and “brazen” attack near Sydney, Australia. The 33-year-old victim was struck in the upper body while walking at the intersection of two residential streets and sadly succumbed to his injuries.
While Sydney police have yet to officially identify Mokhtarian as the victim, various Australian media outlets and members of the Australian Top Team, the gym he coaches at, have confirmed the news via social media.
Paramedics arrived quickly but were unable to revive Mokhtarian, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Superintendent Jason Joyce expressed his concern, saying, “It’s a very brazen act and it’s unfortunate that something like this is happening in our area. While we like to think we’re safe in residential neighborhoods at night, we believe this was a targeted attack. Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and those who witnessed this horrible incident; it’s not something we tolerate in our community.”
Witnesses reported seeing a car speeding away from the scene shortly after the shooting. Two nearby cars later caught fire, and investigators are exploring a potential connection between the two events. Authorities suspect that the assailant may have been in a red Audi, one of the vehicles that was found burned.
“We have information suggesting a man was in the vehicle,” Joyce noted. “That’s all we know from witnesses at this stage. He was observed leaving the scene quickly, and the car was discovered shortly afterward, burnt out.”
Mokhtarian, who remained undefeated on the Australian regional circuit before appearing on “The Ultimate Fighter Season 27,” has not fought in the UFC since 2019 and has focused on coaching since then. Disturbingly, he has faced two prior attempts on his life, including an incident last year where a gunman pretending to be a food delivery driver opened fire outside the Australian Top Team gym.
In April, an MMA event he was scheduled to participate in was called off due to fears of a gang-related attack targeting him.
One of Mokhtarian’s students, Jesse Swain, took to Instagram to say goodbye. “I couldn’t sleep tonight after hearing this news, so I decided to make this post now. First, I want to say that Suman believed in me more than I ever believed in myself. Everything I’ve done in MMA is because of him,” Swain wrote. “Anyone who knew him knows he was a passionate and exhilarating person who always expected the best from you. He pushed me to heights I never thought I’d reach and stopped me from quitting just before I got my professional chance at the end of 2024. I will fulfill my potential for him.”
