UFC ex-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 are investigating the incident, believing it was a direct attack.
Mokhtarian, 33, was found dead on Wednesday around 6 p.m. while walking through Riverstone, in western Sydney. Emergency services attended Annaluke Street, where they found Mokhtarian with gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene.
Mokhtarian competed in the UFC in 2018 and 2019, before dedicating himself to training. He played a fundamental role in the development of young MMA talents at the Australian Top Team, alongside his brother Ashkan Mokhtarian.
The police have cordoned off the area and have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the shooting. A statement from the New South Wales police confirmed the incident: “A man has died in a shooting in a public place in western Sydney.”
The police statement adds that, shortly after the incident, emergency services were alerted to a vehicle fire on Riverstone Road, near Clark Street. Authorities are determining whether the two incidents are related.
Tribute to Suman Mokhtarian
Jesse Swain, one of Mokhtarian’s students, shared a moving message on Instagram: “Suman believed in me more than I believed in myself. I owe him everything I have achieved in MMA.”
The fighter was previously the target of an alleged assassination attempt outside the Australian Top Team gym in Wentworthville, Sydney, in February 2024.
