Ashkan Mokhtarian

Ashkan Mokhtarian (Persian: اشکان مختاریان, born 18 September 1985 Tehran, Iran), is an Iranian-born Australian mixed martial artist formerly competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Mokhtarian's parents fled Iran during the Iran–Iraq War in 1985 and came to Australia as refugees. When Mokhtarian and his younger brother Suman were young, their parents divorced. Ashkan got involved with drugs and alcohol during his teenage years and decided to become a professional MMA fighter after watching the sport on TV.

Ashkan and Suman Mokhtarian are founders of the Australian Top Team located in Wentworthville, NSW although there is no affiliation or association with the American Top Team.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Mokhtarian began training in BJJ and later in kickboxing. He won the Australia Eternal Bantamweight Title in April 2016.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Mokhtarian signed with UFC in March 2017.

He made his promotional debut against John Moraga on 11 June 2017 at UFC Fight Night 110. He lost the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.

Mokhtarian faced Ryan Benoit on 19 November 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. At the weight-ins, Benoit weight in at 129 pounds, 3 pounds over the flyweight upper limit of 125 pounds. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Benoit forfeited 20% of his purse to Mokhtarian. He lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick in the third round.

Mokhtarian was scheduled to face Jenel Lausa on 13 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night 132; however, he pulled out of the fight in early May citing injury.

Mokhtarian was expected to face Kai Kara-France on 2 December 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142. However, Mokhtarian pulled out of the fight on 20 November citing injury.

On May 28, 2019 it was reported that Mokhtarian was released by UFC.

Post UFC Career

In his first fight since leaving the UFC, Mokhtarian fought Pancrase veteran Shunichi Shimizu at Hex Fight Series 19 on September 6, 2019. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.