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The Sydney fight community is in shock after the death of Suman Mokhtarian, a former UFC fighter who was shot dead in what police believe was a targeted attack. He was 33. Those close to him remembered a man who carried quiet determination, a fighter who found new purpose in shaping the next generation once his own days inside the cage were behind him.
ESPN reported that Suman Mokhtarian fought twice in the UFC, in 2018 and 2019, before turning his focus to coaching. At Australian Top Team, the gym he ran with his brother Ashkan Mokhtarian, he guided a wave of young talent through the demanding world of mixed martial arts. His final fight came in 2019, ending in a unanimous-decision loss to South Korea’s Seung Woo Choi.
From octagon to tragedy: Suman Mokhtarian fatally shot
It was meant to be an ordinary stroll. But in the quiet streets of Riverstone, on Sydney’s western fringe, Suman Mokhtarian’s walk ended in violence. The former UFC fighter was shot dead on Wednesday, October 8, in what police later described as a targeted attack.
Reports from the scene suggested Mokhtarian had been walking along Annaluke Street when gunfire broke the calm just after 6 p.m.. Emergency crews rushed in, and paramedics tried to revive him, but their efforts came too late. He was declared dead where he fell. By nightfall, New South Wales Police confirmed what had unfolded. In their statement, they outlined a sequence of the incident:
“A man has died in a public place shooting in Sydney’s west today,” the NSW Police statement read.
“About 6pm today, emergency services were called to Annaluke Street, Riverstone, following reports of a shooting. Officers attached to Riverstone Police Area Command attended and found a man suffering gunshot wounds. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene. The man is yet to be formally identified."
"Police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A short time later, about 6.15pm, emergency services were called to Riverstone Road, Riverstone, near Clark Street, following reports of a car fire. Fire and Resue [SIC] NSW crews attended and extinguished the blaze, however, the vehicle was destroyed. Police have established a second crime scene and are working to establish whether the two incidents are linked,” the statement read.
Community and police react to the fatal shooting of Suman Mokhtarian
The following day, Police Superintendent Jason Joyce spoke to 2GB radio’s Ben Fordham, describing the shooting as a “harrowing experience” for those living nearby.
“It was very brazen and it’s a shame that this has happened in our community,” Joyce said. “But we do believe it’s a targeted attack.”
He added a personal note, saying,
“My heart goes out to the family of this victim.”
The tragedy left witnesses shaken. Natalie Hopwood, a local resident, told news.com.au that she had called emergency services after hearing gunshots and seeing a man collapse.
“I could immediately tell he wasn’t alive, otherwise I would’ve tried to help him, I was out the front with my little kids, [aged] one and three, and we heard the gunshots and then the person drove past our house,” she shared.
Hopwood recounted rushing over to check on the man.
“I called the police straight away, [ran] over and checked to see if he was alive, he clearly wasn’t.”
For the community of Riverstone, the event was more than news; it was a stark, sudden reminder of how quickly violence could touch even the quietest streets.
MMA student Jesse Swain pays emotional tribute to late coach:
In the wake of Suman Mokhtarian's death, his former mixed martial arts student, Jesse Swain, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“Haven’t been able to sleep tonight after hearing the news so decided to post this now, firstly I want to say Suman believed in me more than I believed in myself, I owe all I’ve done in MMA to him. Anyone that knew him personally knows how passionate and invigorating he was and he expected nothing but the best from you. He pushed me to heights I never thought I’d get to when starting out,” shared Jesse Swain.
Swain continued, reflecting on Suman Mokhtarian's mentorship:
“He stopped me from quitting in late 2024 right before he got me the professional opportunities and he personally told me my potential in the game. I’ll make sure to fulfill that potential for him. RIP Suman.”
Suman Mokhtarian’s death left a void that went far beyond the UFC octagon. To those who knew him, he was more than a fighter; he was a mentor, a brother, and a guiding presence for the next generation of MMA talent. In Riverstone, his loss was felt not only on the streets where tragedy struck but also in his gym, where his lessons had taken root. Though the investigation continues, the mark he left on his students and the wider MMA community endures, a reminder of a life dedicated to pushing others toward their best.
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