Former UFC Fighter Suman Mokhtarian Murdered in Sydney
The mixed martial arts (MMA) world is in mourning following the murder of Suman Mokhtarian, former UFC champion and renowned coach. Australian police suspect it was a premeditated attack. Mokhtarian, 33, was attacked while walking through Riverstone, in western Sydney, around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Emergency services found Mokhtarian with gunshot wounds, but he died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics. Mokhtarian competed in the UFC in 2018 and 2019 before turning to coaching. He played a crucial role in the development of MMA talent at the Australian Top Team, alongside his brother Ashkan Mokhtarian. Authorities have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances of the shooting. A statement from the New South Wales Police indicated:The police found a man with gunshot wounds, who was attended to by paramedics, but died at the scene. Formal identification of the man is still pending. Shortly after, around 6:15 p.m., emergency services responded to a vehicle fire on Riverstone Road, near Clark Street. Police are investigating whether both incidents are related. A Mokhtarian student, Jesse Swain, shared a moving tribute on Instagram: “I couldn’t sleep tonight after hearing the news. Suman believed in me more than I believed in myself, I owe him everything I’ve done in MMA. Anyone who knew him personally knows how passionate and encouraging he was and expected the best from you. He pushed me to heights I never thought I’d reach when I started, stopped me from giving up at the end of 2024 just before I got the professional opportunities and personally told me my potential in the game. I will make sure to fulfill that potential for him.” Mokhtarian had previously been the target of a suspected assassination attempt outside the Australian Top Team gym in Wentworthville, Sydney, in February 2024.A man has died in a shooting in a public place in western Sydney today. Emergency services were called to Annaluke Street, Riverstone, following reports of a shooting.
New South Wales Police
