- An MMA fighter stabbed at NYC gym in Chelsea (West 29th Street) suffered a stab wound to the back and was hospitalized in stable condition.
- Police identified and arrested Caleb Perry, 23, a former member of the gym.
- Authorities say Perry had been barred from the facility, returned anyway, and attacked the fighter from behind.
- Charges include attempted murder, assault, and burglary.
- The incident occurred at Radical MMA in Manhattan, according to local reports and police.
MMA fighter stabbed at NYC Gym: What Police Say Happened Inside The Chelsea Facility
According to the New York Police Department and local coverage, the MMA fighter stabbed at NYC gym occurred during morning hours at Radical MMA on West 29th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan.
A quiet late morning at a Chelsea martial arts facility turned chaotic when a former member walked in and stabbed an MMA fighter at a NYC gym. The victim, Sandro Kukhianidze, said the attack came out of nowhere moments after he arrived for training.
“I get in at 11:50 and I put my shoes away… I turn around and all of a sudden I’m just getting stabbed.”
– Sandro Kukhianidze –
Police who were nearby responded quickly, and Sandro was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he received stitches and was released in stable condition.
A Banned Ex-Member Returned, Then Violence Broke Out
Investigators say Caleb Perry (23) had previously trained at the gym and had been banned from returning.
On the day of the attack, he allegedly re-entered the building and targeted the fighter on the mat. Multiple reports note that the MMA fighter stabbed at NYC gym involved a knife and that the attack was unprovoked from behind.
The setting — an active class at a well-known Manhattan facility — underscores how quickly a training session can turn into an emergency when a barred individual reappears.
Even after being stabbed in the back, Sandro’s instincts kicked in. He immediately applied his grappling fundamentals to survive, neutralize the blade, and establish control until help arrived.
“I dropped to guard, controlled the knife, controlled his wrist, his sleeve. I swept him, I got on top.”
– Sandro Kukhianidze –
That sequence—guard, control the weapon hand, off-balance, and sweep—mirrors high-percentage self-defense principles taught in combat sports. It likely prevented further injury to Sandro and others on the mat.
The Arrest And The Charges
Police apprehended Perry shortly after the incident. He now faces attempted murder, assault, and burglary charges tied to the MMA fighter stabbed at NYC gym case.
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity. As of the latest updates in local reporting, the fighter remained in stable condition after treatment.
In the hours that followed, Sandro expressed sharp awareness of how differently the situation could have ended had the attacker targeted someone without his skill set.
“Good thing it wasn’t like anybody who was less trained than me. Good thing it wasn’t one of my female teammates.”
– Sandro Kukhianidze –
He also shared what he believes the attacker’s intent may have been:
“He came to kill my coach. My coach wasn’t there yet.”
– Sandro Kukhianidze –
What We Know About The Timeline
Local reports indicate the suspect returned to the building despite being barred and targeted the victim during a regular training window.
Some outlets reported the suspect waited for a period of time before the confrontation, reinforcing investigators’ view that the encounter was not a spontaneous scuffle.
While specific minute-by-minute details remain part of the ongoing investigation, the sequence — entry, approach from behind, single stab wound, flight, and swift arrest — has been consistent across official and local accounts.
“The whole thing just made me realize that you have to be grateful for life. I almost lost mine yesterday.”
– Sandro Kukhianidze –
Why This Case Stands Out For NYC’s Gym Community
The MMA fighter stabbed at NYC gym headline has reverberated across New York’s martial arts scene because it blends a controlled training environment with a street-level threat.
That contrast has prompted gym owners and coaches to re-evaluate policies for barring former members, entry control, and incident response — especially during busy morning sessions when doors are opening and classes are transitioning.
A practical checklist many owners are revisiting:
- Revocable Access: Individual codes or fobs with immediate deactivation when a member is barred.
- Front-Desk Coverage: A designated staffer during high-traffic hours to watch entries and greet new faces.
- Camera Coverage At Entrances: Footage that captures who enters and when (while keeping private areas off-limits).
- Clear Bar Notices: Documented bans shared with staff; escalate to police if trespass persists.
- Emergency Roles: Assign who calls 911, who handles first aid, and who secures doors while help is en route.
None of these measures guarantee prevention, but together they can reduce the chance that an MMA fighter stabbed at NYC gym scenario repeats elsewhere.
A Final Word
The facts are stark: a Chelsea dojo, a barred ex-member, a stab wound to the back, and felony charges. That combination should hard-reset how facilities think about access and after-action planning.
If there’s one immediate takeaway, it’s this: treat ban enforcement and entry control as seriously as you treat safety on the mat — because both protect the people who show up to train.
