Man is shot dead outside Elite Fight Force MMA gym in Sefton, Sydney

A luxury car businessman has been killed sitting in his black Mercedes SUV in an early morning drive-by shooting outside a gym in Sydney’s south-west. 

Taha Sabbagh, 40, was shot dead outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street, in Sefton on Thursday morning at about 6.30am.

A witness heard at least ten shots fired and the sound of a car screeching away. Sabbagh is understood to have been accompanied by a child when he was gunned down.  

Paramedics desperately tried to revive Mr Sabbagh, who was a common presence at the MMA gym. He was unable to be saved and died at the scene. 

In his luxury car business, Mr Sabbagh often drove around celebrities including social media star Hasbulla and recently shared photos of MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov and Logan Paul. 

Taha Sabbagh, 40, (pictured left with social media Hasbulla) believed to be linked to a well known crime family, was shot dead outside the Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street, in Sefton on Thursday morning at about 6.30am

The 40-year-old was shot dead outside Elite Fight Force gym on Carlingford Street, in Sefton on Thursday morning

Pictured are members of the Elite Fight Force martial arts gym in Sefton, in Sydney’s southwest

Emergency services are seen outside the gym on Thursday morning 

Mr Sabbagh recently shared a photo of children with Logan Paul to his Instagram

A friend of Mr Sabbagh, Mustafa Nashar, shared a heartfelt tribute to the 40-year-old: ‘(He was) a beautiful person who’s life was taken mistakenly and undeservedly.’ 

Another loved one said: ‘Taha was a loving son, brother, father, husband, he was loved by many. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.’ 

A witness, David, said he was in his workshop at the time when he heard about ten gunshots, which he initially thought was just a car backfiring.

‘Within minutes there was a load of ambulances and police everywhere and we saw a man on the ground not in a good way,’ he told Radio 2GB. ‘It was frightening.’

David said he initially heard about five loud bangs before hearing a car speed off. He then heard another series of shots. 

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A burnt-out car was found later on Thursday morning at the nearby Birrong train station. 

A friend of Mr Sabbagh said he was taken ‘mistakenly and undeservedly’

The gym announced it would be closed on Thursday

Daily Mail Australia understands the gym wasn’t open at the time. Pictured are members of the gym

The gym posted a message to Instagram on Thursday morning, announcing it would be closed.

‘Asalamu alaykum (peace be with you in Arabic),’ the message began.

‘We are very sorry for any inconvenience. Elite Force Force will be closed today and all classes will be cancelled for the day. 

‘Please bear with us and stay updated with our stories for any new announcements.’ 

Daily Mail Australia understands the gym wasn’t open at the time. 

The gym has received high praise from members who described it as having ‘world class facilities and trainers’ that has classes for all ages.

‘The best MMA gym in Sydney,’ one person wrote in a review.

An ambulance is seen outside the mixed martial arts gym on Thursday morning

‘Also has the best bantamweight fighter there.

‘Definitely recommended for anyone looking to get fit or self defense or even pursuing a career in combat sports.’

Another person said the business was the ‘most disciplined mixed martial arts gym’ in the city. 

‘The owners and trainers treat you like family as soon as you enter in the door,’ they said. 

Children had been training at the gym on Wednesday evening – mere hours before the shooting took place.