Receiving information that #UFC
fighter Irwin Rivera has been detained by police after allegedly
stabbing sisters. More to come.— Eric Kowal – MyMMANews.com (@MyMMANews)
January 7, 2021
Editor’s note: The article has been updated at 1:30 p.m. ET on
Jan. 8 to reflect additional information regarding Rivera’s
charges. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office listed Rivera’s
charges as first-degree murder, and not attempted murder.
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight Irwin
Rivera has been booked and charged with two counts of attempted
murder in Florida.
The news first broke from MyMMANews
on Thursday, with the outlet reporting Rivera was brought in after
allegedly stabbing his sisters. Per the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s
Office, Rivera was booked on Thursday morning and has been
charged with two counts of Homicide – Murder, First Degree
Premeditated. He is being held without bond for these charges of
attempted murder. According to the
2020 Florida Statutes, “the unlawful killing of a human
being…when perpetrated from a premeditated design to effect the
death of the person killed or any human being” is punishable by
either death or life imprisonment without the possibility of
parole.
UPDATE on my report earlier on #UFC
fighter Irwin Rivera. I was just sent this document by the police
department. pic.twitter.com/2L3vaLBzsK— Eric Kowal – MyMMANews.com (@MyMMANews)
January 8, 2021
MyMMANews
subsequently obtained a copy of the police report. The report
details the alleged stabbings, while the arresting officer found
Rivera covered in blood admitting that he committed this crime. One
sister has been hospitalized with two collapsed lungs among other
injuries, while the other suffered multiple stab wounds to her
back, face, arms and hands. According to the report, Rivera “believed that he killed both of his sisters and said that he did
so because it was his purpose, which he was told to by a higher
power.
In a statement from the UFC made to
MMA Fighting on Thursday, the promotion noted it had been
informed of this news, writing, “UFC is aware of the recent
incident involving Irwin
Rivera and subsequently received information from his
management that he has been exhibiting behavior consistent with
mental health issues. The allegations are extremely troubling and
the organization is currently gathering additional information. The
investigation is ongoing and any potential next steps including
disciplinary action or medical attention will be determined upon
the conclusion. Furthermore, UFC has informed Rivera’s management
that he will not be offered a bout at this time.”
Rivera competed in the UFC three times throughout 2020, winning a
split decision over Ali
AlQaisi but dropping judges’ verdicts to Giga
Chikadze and Andre
Ewell. “The Beast” made his way to the UFC by scoring three
knockouts in a row with Titan Fighting Championships, earning him a
short-notice opportunity in May. Rivera worked his way up to that
place by taking fights with Legacy Fighting Championship and Combate Americas, although he lost more times
than he won with those two organizations.