Former UFC Fighter Dead On Wednesday At 33 Years Old

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 3:39 PM ET

Tragedy has struck the MMA world this week as former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian tragically lost his life at the age of 33.

According to TMZ, Mokhtarian was shot and killed in an alleged targeted attack in Australia. Officials believe that he was out for a walk when shots rang out of a red car before speeding away from the scene.

Per the report, he was shot in the upper torso. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Ex-UFC Fighter Suman Mokhtarian Dead At 33 | Click to read more https://t.co/TZYMU9itsG pic.twitter.com/HNIuLiatvK
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) October 8, 2025

Unfortunately this wasn't the first time that Mokhtarian had been targeted in Australian. In 2024 a gunman disguised as a delivery driver attempted to kill him outside of an MMA gym. But the gunman missed and was later arrested.

This past April local officials were forced to cancel an MMA event due to the fear that he would be targeted by a gang hit on him.

Dec 1, 2018; Adelaide, Australia; Suman Mokhtarian (red gloves) and Sodiq Yusuff (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Elsby-USA TODAY Sports© James Elsby-Imagn Images

A Career Cut Shot

Suman Mokhtarian made his UFC debut in The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated in 2018. He competed in the featherweight division with UFC champion Stipe Miocic as his head coach. Fans watching the show got a deeper look at his personality and character.

Unfortunately, a few weeks into the show, Mokhtarian suffered a knee injury and wound up losing his only fight against Ricky Steele. Several weeks later he was revealed to have suffered an ACL injury.

That injury didn't stop Mokhtarian from making his official Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night later that year. He took on UFC newcomer Sodiq Yussuf but lost the fight in the first round. It would wind up being the only fight of Mokhtarian's UFC career.

Our hearts go out to Mokhtarian's family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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