Exclusive: The heartbroken family of the former UFC fighter killed in a brazen daylight execution in Sydney’s north-west this week has opened up about his murder, saying he didn’t deserve to die.

While a hunt is still under way for the killers, Mokhtarian’s grandmother, Ershat, spoke to 9News about the murder, saying the 33-year-old didn’t deserve to die.

“My grandchild, I love him too much, I love him too much,” she said.

“(He was a) very good person, I cannot believe that … he’s dead.”

Mokhtarian had fought twice in the UFC from 2018-2019, losing both bouts before focusing more on coaching.

9News understands Mokhtarian had been told by police his life was in danger, and that he had survived an assassination attempt last year outside his Wentworthville gym that he co-owned with his brother.

Earlier this year, police had cancelled a mixed martial arts event in western Sydney on the basis that there was a risk Mokhtarian would be attacked.

Following his shooting, police said they were putting “a lot of resources” into tackling gangland crime in Sydney.