Jesse Swain Opens Up on Coach Suman Mokhtarian’s Death, Leaving Australian Top Team & His Eternal MMA 102 Fight

When Jesse Swain found out about the passing of his coach Suman Mokhtarian, it wasn’t in a quiet moment or after a training session had ended. It happened in the middle of the grind — alone in his garage, training, when one of his teammates called with news that would change everything.

The emotions hit all at once. Anger. Sadness. Shock. The kind of loss that doesn’t just stop you in your tracks, but forces you to reassess the direction of your entire life. For Swain, Suman wasn’t just a coach — he was a mentor, a strategist, and one of the key figures who believed in his potential long before the wider MMA community took notice.

Jesse Swain Reacts to the Passing of Coach Suman Mokhtarian

Suman Mokhtarian’s death in October sent shockwaves through the Australian MMA scene. For Jesse Swain, the loss was deeply personal. Mokhtarian had been instrumental in shaping Swain’s development, guiding him through the early stages of his professional career and acting as the mastermind in his corner.

“It’s going to be very hard to replace him,” Swain admitted. “Especially in the corner. He was a mastermind.”

The impact went beyond the gym. For weeks after the news, training slowed. Motivation wavered. The structure that fighters rely on suddenly disappeared. But while the grief was heavy, Swain knew he couldn’t stay still forever.

“He would want me to do what’s best for me,” Swain said. “To reach the heights he thought I could get to.”

Life After Australian Top Team: A Gym Closure That Changed Everything

The passing of Mokhtarian came at a time when Jesse Swain’s world was already shifting. The closure of Australian Top Team left many fighters displaced, forced to search for new training environments while trying to maintain the bonds that had been built over years.

Despite no longer training under the same roof, the culture hasn’t been lost. Swain says the former Australian Top Team fighters remain in close contact — checking in, visiting each other’s gyms, and supporting one another as their careers continue on separate paths.

Still, finding a new home was critical.

Every gym has a different culture, and after training in an environment that felt like family, the transition wasn’t easy. Swain needed a place that aligned with his style, his ambitions, and the next phase of his career.

Why Sydney West Martial Arts Was the Right Fit

After exploring several options, Jesse Swain found his base at Sydney West Martial Arts — one of Australia’s most credentialed gyms, particularly known for its elite grappling pedigree.

For a fighter known as an explosive striker with serious finishing ability, the move made sense.

“I’m already dangerous on the feet,” Swain explained. “This just complements my game.”

Having spent the past six months at Sydney West Martial Arts, Swain has focused heavily on levelling up his grappling, working alongside high-level practitioners and adapting to a system designed to sharpen every part of his skill set.

The environment has provided stability — something Swain needed after months of uncertainty.

Still Training With Matt Iann After the Split

Despite fighting out of different gyms, Swain continues to train alongside longtime teammate Matt Iann. The two remain close, regularly cross-training between Sydney West Martial Arts and Rival MMA.

Training partnerships like this don’t disappear simply because gym affiliations change. Swain credits Iann’s skill, mindset, and work ethic as major factors in his own development.

“He’s got everything,” Swain said. “The skills, the strength, the mindset.”

That continuity has helped Swain maintain a sense of familiarity while continuing to evolve as a fighter.

Eternal MMA 102: Jesse Swain vs Justin “Lockjaw” Van Heerden

All roads now lead to January 31, when Jesse Swain steps into the cage at Eternal MMA 102 in Sydney — UFC weekend, with UFC 325 taking place the following day.

Standing across from him will be Justin “Lockjaw” Van Heerden, one of the most experienced featherweights in the Australian MMA scene. With over 25 professional fights, Van Heerden represents a massive step up in competition for Swain, who has spent less than five minutes in the cage across his professional career.

But this is a challenge Swain actively wanted.

“I wanted someone experienced,” he said. “I wanted the grappling test.”

Van Heerden’s relentless, suffocating grappling style has frustrated and broken many opponents before him. Swain, however, sees the matchup as a proving ground — a chance to show that his evolution is real and that he belongs at the next level.

Fighting With Purpose: Carrying Suman Mokhtarian’s Legacy

This fight carries more weight than just rankings or momentum.

Swain has made it clear that Suman Mokhtarian will be with him when he walks to the cage on January 31. Every step forward in his career, every opportunity earned, will carry the influence of the coach who helped shape him.

“I’ll always be bringing Suman’s name up,” Swain said. “No matter how far I go in the sport.”

What’s Next for Jesse Swain?

With Eternal MMA 102 serving as a potential springboard, Swain isn’t looking to linger on the regional scene. A statement win could put him just one or two fights away from a Dana White’s Contender Series opportunity — a fast-tracked path few fighters are willing to chase as aggressively.

Despite the loss, the disruption, and the pressure, Jesse Swain’s ambition remains intact.

January 31 isn’t just another fight.

It’s a test of evolution, resilience, and purpose — and a moment to honour the man who believed in him from the very beginning.

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