‘Nobody saw this coming’: Mourners farewell slain dad Taha Sabbagh at Lakemba mosque

Scores of mourners have turned out to farewell Taha Sabbagh two days after the Sydney father was gunned down outside a gym in Sefton, as a UFC champion posts his own tribute.

Mourners have turned out to farewell Taha Sabbagh two days after the Sydney father was gunned down outside a gym in Sefton.

Family members wiped back tears as they carried the green coffin of the 40-year-old up the steps of Lakemba mosque.

Several members of Sydney’s underworld are also in attendance, some of whom frequent the gym Mr Sabbagh was killed at this week.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev posted a tribute on Instagram ahead of Sabbagh’s funeral.

Makhachev posted a photo of him and Sabbagh - which was taken after he beat Alex Volkanovski in a controversial fight to win the lightweight title last month. The photo was accompanied by a broken heart emoji.

Islam Makhachev posts a picture on Instagram with Taha Sabbagh.

Mr Sabbagh’s body went through a traditional Islamic preparation with his family this morning before the emotional ceremony began about lunch time.

After the mosque service, Mr Sabbagh will be buried at Rookwood Cemetery.

“Nobody saw this coming,” a preacher from inside the mosque service said.

The Greenacre luxury car businessman died after a masked gunman shot Mr Sabbagh six times in front of his young son on Thursday morning.

Mourners carry Taha Sabbagh’s green coffin out of Lakemba Mosque today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Grieving... Mourners at Lakemba Mosque. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Taha Sabbagh, 40, was killed after being shot up to 10 times outside the Elite Fight Force gym in Sefton on Thursday.

Mourners carry the green casket outside Lakemba Mosque today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Two men comfort one another outside the mosque. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Emotional mourners had to be comforted at the service in Lakemba. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The scene on the street outside the Sefton gym where Taha Sabbagh was shot dead on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Crowds gather after the drive-by shooting at Sefton on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire

He was dropping him off to an early morning gym session when he was set upon with his coffee in his hand.

Police are investigating whether his killing was a case of mistaken identity because of the car he was driving.

The Saturday Telegraph revealed the theory was one being considered by police who have been told the intended target could have been the owner of Elite Fight Force gym Hany Sbat because they drive similar cars.

Mr Sabbagh’s death is the 18th since the first gangland killing in 2020 and ended a six month lull in violence on Sydney’s streets.