Victim of late-night shooting ambush is revealed to be Aussie MMA star known as \'the smiling assassin\' - as extraordinary new details emerge

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• An MMA star was ambushed in shot in Sydney\'s southwest on Monday night
• The 29-year-old was taken to hospital after being stabilised by paramedics 
• DO YOU KNOW MORE? Email [email protected] 

By ED CARRUTHERS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA and CAMERON CARPENTER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 11:27 BST, 13 May 2025 | Updated: 11:36 BST, 13 May 2025

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An MMA fighter, known as the \'smiling assassin\', was left fighting for his life after his truck was sprayed with bullets during an ambush in Sydney\'s southwest on Monday night.

New South Wales police state that emergency services were called to Donald Street at around 11.20pm yesterday evening after reports of a shooting.

According to Channel 9, the victim of the shooting, Hayder Khudhair, 29, had been driving along Donald Street when a gunman leapt out of his car and opened fire on the MMA fighter\'s truck.

Police state that this is the second time that an attempt on the MMA star\'s life has been made. It is understood he had been the target of an alleged attack at a nearby Yennora street last month.

Khudhair was shot in the abdomen and in the wrist before he fled his vehicle and sought refuge at a house nearby.

The 29-year-old was seen running away from the shooting on CCTV footage.

Hayder Khudhair, 29, had been driving along Donald Street when a gunman leapt out of his car and opened fire on the MMA fighter\'s truck

The athlete, who trains out of a Wentworthville gym, fled the truck before taking refuge in a nearby house  

Khudhair, a featherweight, last fought in 2022, where he claimed a unanimous decision victory against Stefano Morotti

Police say the MMA star had received medical treatment from NSW Ambulance paramedics and was stabilised before being taken to hospital.

Members of the MMA star\'s family had to be held back by members of NSW police as they attempted to find Khudhair.

Khudhair, a featherweight, last fought in 2022, according to Tapology, where he claimed a unanimous decision victory against Stefano Morotti.

The promising fighter holds a record of 8-4-0, and has won his last three fights.

He is understood to train at the Australian Top Team\'s gym in Wentworthville.

But minutes after the shooting, emergency services were again called to two vehicle fires that involved a black Lexus sedan on Dixmude Street, South Granville and an SUV on Boundary Road in Chester Hill.

Both fires were extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW, before police established crime scenes at the two locations.

Police are investigating whether the shooting and car torchings are linked.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to call Fairfield police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are investigating whether the shooting and two car torchings are linked

Both fires were extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW, before police established crime scenes at the two locations

Last year, a gunman was alleged to have disguised himself as a delivery driver and opened fire on the gym. No one had been injured in the shooting while Nine claim that high-profile ex-fighter-turned coach, Suman Moktarian, had been the intended target.  

The news comes after a mixed martial arts event at the William Inglis Hotel in Warwick Farm was postponed amid concerns that a former UFC fighter and coach could have been the subject of a gangland hit.  

Radio 2GB\'s Ben Fordham reported at the beginning of April that officers had received evidence that Moktarian, was an intended target of the attack. 

In March, MMA fighter Langston Syikes was shot and killed while breaking into a home in Florida USA. 

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