UFC bantamweight fighter Irwin Rivera is facing two charges of attempted murder after being accused of stabbing his two sisters, according to a report from ESPN. The news was first reported by MMA journalist Eric Kowal.
Rivera was arrested on Thursday by the Boynton Police Department and is currently being held without bail.
Rivera’s sisters, ages 22 and 33, were found with stab wounds after police responded to a call. The younger sister was taken to the hospital with two collapsed lungs and stab wounds to her back, head, and arm. The older sister had stab wounds to her back, face, arms, and hands. Their current condition is unknown, but they were alive and rushed to the hospital when first responders arrived to the scene.
One of the sisters told police that they had gone to visit their brother, spending the night in his guest room. They awoke to Rivera repeatedly stabbing them.
According to the police report shared by Kowal, one of Rivera’s neighbors provided a statement saying that they had been awakened by one of the sisters pounding on their door. They opened it to find her covered in blood, saying, “He’s trying to kill me, please help my sister.”
Following his arrest, Rivera later told police that he had “killed his sisters,” admitting to stabbing them with a brass knuckle knife. He added that he believed that it was his “purpose” to do so and that he was told to commit the act by a “higher power.”
The UFC has released a statement about the situation:
“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.“
The Jiu-Jitsu Times will continue to provide updates on this story as it develops.
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