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Former UFC featherweight Suman Mokhtarian has been shot dead in what police believe was a "targeted" and "brazen" public attack in Sydney, Australia. He was 33.
Authorities say Mokhtarian was walking through the quiet suburb of Riverstone on Wednesday night when gunfire erupted at a residential intersection. Paramedics arrived but were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It's very brazen, and it's a shame this is happening in our community," Superintendent Jason Joyce told The Sydney Morning Herald. "You'd want to think that people could wander the streets at that time of night and be safe, but we do believe it's a targeted attack."
Police reports suggest that a red Audi may have been used in the shooting. The vehicle was later found burnt out nearby, prompting investigators to link it to the crime. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday evening.
While police have yet to formally name Mokhtarian, tributes from fellow fighters and members of Australian Top Team, where he coached, confirmed the devastating news.
Mokhtarian, who was born in Iran and raised in Australia, fought twice in the UFC after earning a contract through The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated in 2018. Though his stint in the Octagon was brief, he was regarded as a passionate mentor within Sydney's MMA community.
He reportedly survived two prior assassination attempts, including a 2024 shooting outside his gym when a gunman disguised as a food delivery driver opened fire. An MMA event earlier this year was even canceled amid fears that a gangland hit could target him.
Following his death, student Jesse Swain wrote on Instagram, "Suman believed in me more than I believed in myself. He pushed me to heights I never thought I'd get to. I'll make sure to fulfill that potential for him."
Mokhtarian's record stood at 8-2, and he had transitioned fully into coaching before his death. "He was passionate, fearless, and loyal," one teammate said. "He lived for this sport and for his people."
