Two Men Convicted Over Brazen Attempted Execution of Former UFC Fighter
Two men have been found guilty for their roles in a shocking attempted murder of former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian outside a busy Sydney gym in 2024. Noah Touma and Usman Chami were convicted by a jury in Parramatta District Court this week after a trial where they pleaded not guilty to shooting with intent to murder.
Daylight Ambush Outside Packed Gym
The court heard that on February 20, 2024, Mokhtarian was standing outside his Australian Top Team gym in Wentworthville when a gunman disguised as a food delivery rider approached on a scooter. CCTV footage captured the rider wearing a high-visibility shirt and helmet before stopping nearby and walking toward the gym entrance. Moments before the shooting, Mokhtarian even joked about the suspicious figure, telling friends, 'I said to the boys; he looks like he's about to shoot us.'
Seconds later, the man pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire. Mokhtarian ran for safety as bullets were fired toward him, before the gunman followed him inside the packed gym and discharged further rounds. Around 30 people were inside the facility at the time, sparking panic as clients scrambled to escape. Despite the terrifying scenes, no one was struck. The shooter then fled on the scooter, which was later found burned out in a nearby street.
Prosecution Case and Defence Arguments
Prosecutors alleged that Touma was the gunman, while Chami helped organise the attack. The court was told the scooter used in the ambush had been purchased days earlier and spray-painted from black to white using cans bought from a Bunnings store. Chami had also attended the gym in the weeks before the shooting, with prosecutors alleging he acted as a spotter to help plan the attack.
The defence argued there was no proof Touma was the man on the scooter and denied any agreement to carry out the shooting. During a police interview played to the court, Touma denied any involvement and expressed relief no one had been injured. 'Thank God' no one was hurt, he said, adding it would have been 'tragic' if anyone inside the gym had been struck. He also claimed he had never heard of Mokhtarian or the gym prior to seeing media reports, stating, 'I didn't even know Australian Top Team gym existed, to be honest.'
Victim's Background and Later Tragedy
Mokhtarian told police he had no idea why anyone would want to 'shoot up my business' and said he was unaware of any disputes or debts. The attempted hit formed part of a violent chapter in the former fighter's life. Mokhtarian, who compiled an 8-2 professional record and fought twice in the UFC, had built a reputation as a skilled submission specialist before transitioning into coaching and running his Sydney gym.
He later died in October 2025 after being shot in the upper torso during a separate targeted attack in Riverstone. Neither Touma nor Chami are accused of his murder and were already in custody at the time of that shooting. Following this week's verdict, both men will remain behind bars ahead of sentencing later this year.
