UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian target of failed assassination at Sydney gym

A former UFC fighter was the target of an alleged assassination attempt at a Sydney gym last month, in which the gunman was disguised as a food delivery driver and fled the scene on a scooter.

Former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian was standing outside the gym when the masked gunman ran up and opened fire. Picture: Facebook

A former UFC fighter was the target of an alleged assassination attempt at a Sydney gym late last month, in which the gunman was disguised as a food delivery driver and fled the scene on a scooter.

Suman Mokhtarian, 31, was standing out the front of his Australian Top Team gym about 7.45pm on Tuesday, February 20, when a balaclava-clad gunman ran up and opened fire at him.

The leading Australian MMA brawler who had three fights in the UFC across 2018 and 2019 was luckily missed by all four bullets fired at him, as were the 30 people training in the gym at the time.

Following the arrest of Usman Chami last week, who police allege helped to purchase the getaway scooter used by the unknown shooter, The Daily Telegraph can reveal new details outlined in court documents about the failed attempt on Mokhtarian’s life.

Former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian was the target of a recent assassination attempt at Australian Top Team gym in Wentworthville. Picture: Richard Dobson

Police allege that moments before opening fire, the gunman – disguised in a hi-vis top and with a square food delivery backpack on – drove past the gym to assess the scene.

“The unknown male rider with his face covered by the helmet then approached the front of the gym, before retrieving a pistol from the waistband of his pants and pointing it at [Suman] Mokhtarian at close range and firing one shot,” court documents state.

“Mokhtarian ran into the gym as the rest of the males fled in other directions, with the accused running along a driveway next to the gym.

“The unknown male gunman followed Mokhtarian into the gym. The gunman fired a further three shots as Mokhtarian ran through the gym. There were approximately 30 people within the gym at the time of the shooting.”

Chami also allegedly bought paint from Bunnings, to turn the black scooter white in an effort to try and confuse authorities. Picture: Supplied

After all four shots missed the alleged intended target of the assassination attempt, the gunman then ran back to the scooter.

Police allege the gunman drove from the gym to Fulton Ave in Wentworthville, where the unusual getaway vehicle was set alight before he hopped into a waiting silver Mazda 3 sedan which he then took to a carpark on Carysfield Rd at Bass Hill.

Incredibly, despite the unknown gunman following Mokhtarian into the gym, neither he or any of the 30 people training at the time were injured. Picture: Richard Dobson

Court documents reveal police allege Chami – who is so far the only person charged over the shooting – was involved in buying the getaway scooter off Facebook marketplace.

He then also allegedly bought paint from Bunnings Warehouse at Greenacre which was used to paint the black scooter, white, in an apparent “attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity”.

Mokhtarian made waves in the UFC when he appeared in Season 27 of hit U.S. reality series The Ultimate Fighter, during which he was coached by legendary fighter Stipe Miocic.

His brother Ashkan Mokhtarian is also a professional fighter who suffered two losses from his two appearances in the UFC, but he is currently behind bars on remand, having late last year been charged with serious offences including large scale drug supply and supplying a firearm.

Police allege Usman Chami was involved in purchasing this scooter off Facebook marketplace, which was later used by the shooter to flee the gym. Photo: Supplied

NSW Police last week arrested Chami, 19, at a shopping centre in Bankstown and charged him with shoot at with intent to murder and discharge firearm intending grievous bodily harm over the Mokhtarian assassination attempt.

Despite his charges it is not alleged Chami is the gunman responsible for the shooting, but rather “was acting as a spotter to assist in the shooting”.

He faced Bankstown Local Court on Friday where he made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.

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