Report - UFC Bantamweight Irwin Rivera Jailed On Two Counts Of Attempted Murder

Mandatory Credit: MMA Junkie

UFC bantamweight and former Titan FC champion, Irwin ''The Beast' Rivera has been jailed on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder after he was reportedly arrested on Thursday afternoon.

According to reports, Rivera was placed in police custody at 12:08 p.m. ET yesterday afternoon, Thursday, January 8th. in Palm Beach County (Florida). As was first reported by MyMMANews reporter, Eric Kowal, Rivera is alleged to have stabbed both his sisters. 

While those reports are yet to be confirmed, MMA Fighting obtained an official statement from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in which they confirm that Rivera's manager, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has notified promotion officials that his client was dealing with mental health issues. It reads as follows.

"UFC is aware of the recent incident involving Irwin Rivera and subsequently received information from this management that he has been exhibiting behaviour 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."

A three-fight promotional veteran, Rivera held a 1-2 record in the UFC, most recently dropping a split decision loss to Andre Ewell at UFC Vegas 11 in September. The 31-year-old Mexico City native was scheduled to make his next Octagon appearance at a UFC Fight Night 187 event against Ray Rodriguez. 

*Report has been updated to reflect the latest developments per a report regarding the incident acquired by ESPN MMA reporter, Marc Raimondi. (January 8th. 2021 - 3:15 a.m. GMT)

Irwin Rivera is currently held in custody without bail on two counts of attempted murder. The below details outlined are disturbing. 

Per the report, Irwin Rivera's 22-year-old sister was found "lying adjacent to the roadway covered in blood with multiple wounds throughout her back, head and arm." Rivera's sister informed responding officers that her elder sister, a 33-year-old had also been attacked during the incident. According to the report, the elder sister was found, "covered in blood with multiple wounds throughout back, face, arms and hands."

In sworn statements issued by Rivera's neighbours, they positively identified him after one of the sisters is alledged to have may her way to the neighbour in question's residence. 

Apprehended by officers from Daytona Beach Police Department in the early hours following the attack, Rivera admitted in an interview that he had stabbed both his sisters with a brass-knuckle knife in their sleep, as he claimed: "he had killed both of his sisters and said that he did so because it was his purpose, which he was told by a higher power."