CCTV shows masked men torch van after fatal Riverstone shooting of former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian

The moment two masked men torched a van after a fatal shooting has been captured on CCTV.

The van is believed to be one of the two cars linked to a “targeted” attack in Riverstone, Sydney’s north-west, that claimed the life of former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: UFC fighter gunned down in Sydney gangland shooting.

The 33-year-old was out for a walk when he was shot in the chest on Annaluke St about 6pm on Wednesday.

Up to 14 gunshots were fired from a red Audi, which then sped away from the scene.

Mokhtarian was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be saved.

Shortly after the shooting, two cars were found ablaze nearby, with police confirming they were connected to the attack.

Home security footage shows two men, wearing black balaclavas, running from a white van before setting it on fire in a driveway.

Flames spread as what appears to be petrol spilled onto the road, and the vehicle moved backward toward the residential street.

‘Brazen’ attack

NSW Police Superintendent Jason Joyce described the incident as “brazen”.

“It’s very brazen and it’s a shame that this has happened in our community,” Joyce said.

“My heart goes out to the family of this victim and certainly any of the people that witnessed it, it would have been a horrific thing to witness.

“You’d want to think that in a residential area like that people could wander the streets at that time of night and be safe.”

Witnesses said the attack was shocking for the normally quiet suburb.

One resident said they heard the gunshots shortly after going inside their home.

“Two minutes after I got inside, I just heard the loud noise, like a big bang. I didn’t know that something had happened,” they said.

“It’s normally a very quiet suburb. Nothing really happens here. So this was a bit of a shock.”

Tributes pour in

Mokhtarian fought twice in the world’s top MMA organisation, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, most recently in 2019 when he lost a unanimous decision to Korean featherweight Seung Woo Choi.

His Twitter account lists himself as the owner and head coach of Australian Top Team, a gym based in Wentworthville in Western Sydney.

He had survived a previous attack shooting at the Australian Top Team fighting gym at Wentworthville in February 2024, the Daily Telegraph reported.

In April, police cancelled a planned mixed martial arts event over concerns of another attempt on his life.

Tributes flooded in after news of his death.

Pro MMA fighter Matty Ryan Iann wrote: “My brother, I’ve struggled to put my feelings into words because the tears won’t stop rolling down my face.”

“You’ve been by my side since I was a kid followed me into battle countless times. We spent countless hours in the training room together, sharing blood, sweat, and tears,” he added.

“We made a promise to each other to reach the pinnacle of the UFC together, and I vow to fulfill that promise with you in my heart always, brother.

“You carried me this far, i promise to carry us rest of the way.”

Alex Meurant expressed gratitude, saying: “RIP brother, you always checked up on me through my hardest times and made sure I was okay and my family was good, and can’t thank you enough.”

“You are a beacon of light for kids with troubled pasts and showing them the outlet of discipline and mixed martial arts,”

“God bless and rest in peace Suman Mokhtarian, love ya.”

Fighter Jesse Swain, who trained under Mokhtarian, said he couldn’t sleep after hearing the news of his coach’s death.

“Suman believed in me more than I believed in myself, I owe all I’ve done in MMA to him,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Anyone that knew him personally knows how passionate and invigorating he was and he expected nothing but the best from you ... he stopped me from quitting in late 2024 right before he got me the professional opportunities.”

Perth coach Romel Luistro, who has recent UFC debutants Quillan Salkilld and Cody Haddon under his wing, said he was “heartbroken”.

“RIP brother,” he posted.

Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, the local Labor MP, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the news.

“My thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones, and I give my sincere thanks to the first responders who attended the scene,” she posted on Facebook.

“Our community in Riverstone is full of young families, and this kind of senseless violence is distressing and unacceptable.”

Police have not made any arrests.