Former UFC

fighter Suman Mokhtarian has broken his silence after police shut down a major MMA event in Sydney, fearing he could be assassinated if he attended. The shocking move, triggered by intelligence about a gangland hit, has thrown Australia’s fight scene into chaos and left fighters and promoters reeling.

Mokhtarian Responds: “Why Wasn’t I Notified?”

The Former UFC Fighter Questions Why Police Never Contacted Him

Despite being at the center of the storm, Mokhtarian claims he was never contacted directly by authorities about the potential threat. In an interview with 9 News, he questioned the logic behind the cancellation: “If I was a target, why wouldn’t I be notified?”

The 32-year-old former fighter, who appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 27, has since transitioned into coaching and running Australian Top Team. He expressed willingness to step away from the event so his fighters could still compete, but the event was scrapped entirely.

Promoter Andrew Delmas criticized the last-minute decision, saying months of work had been undone. Fighters, staff, and vendors had all invested in the event, which now leaves many of them out of pocket.

Adding to the controversy is Mokhtarian’s brother, Ashkan, also a former UFC fighter, who remains behind bars on serious drug charges following his 2023 arrest. While police have not directly linked the brothers’ backgrounds to the recent threats, the connections have fueled speculation about underworld ties within the local MMA scene.

Police Halt Event Over Gangland Hit Fears

Mokhtarian Was Previously Targeted By A Hitman

The Dark Matter Fighting Championship (DMFC), set for April 19, 2025, at the William Inglis Hotel in Warwick Farm, was abruptly canceled following warnings from New South Wales Police. Authorities feared the event could become the site of a targeted assassination attempt on Mokhtarian, who now works as a coach and gym owner.

The threat stems from a February 2024 incident where Mokhtarian narrowly escaped a shooting outside his gym in Wentworthville. The alleged attacker, disguised as a delivery driver, fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested and charged with attempted murder—yet remains out on bail.

Radio host Ben Fordham revealed police intelligence pointed to a credible threat if Mokhtarian were to appear at the event, prompting their intervention. NSW Premier Chris Minns backed the decision, stating public safety must come first: “We need to make sure that when [police] believe there’s a threat to the community, they can take sometimes drastic action.”