UFC bantamweight Irwin Rivera was arrested Thursday and jailed on two charges of first-degree premeditated murder.
Online arrests for the Sheriff’s Office office in Palm Beach County (Fla.) Rivera were arrested Thursday at 12:08 p.m., at the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach. No connection was established for the 31-year-old fighter. Several requests for comment at the Office of the Public Information Officer were undone and a dispatcher said he could not provide any information on the matter.
Rivera manager Ali Abdelaziz did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A UFC official issued a statement to MMA Fighting confirming that Rivera’s career was interrupted pending an investigation by the promotion.
“The UFC is aware of the recent incident with Irwin Rivera and has subsequently received information from his management that he is exhibiting behavior that is consistent with mental health issues,” the statement read. “The allegations are extremely worrying and the organization is currently gathering additional information. The investigation continues and all possible subsequent steps, including disciplinary steps or medical assistance, will be determined after that. Furthermore, the UFC has informed the management of Rivera that he is not going to be offered a match at the moment. ”
According to MMA reporter Eric Kowal, who first detained Rivera, the fighter was arrested on suspicion of stabbing his sisters. Other details about the allegations against the UFC veteran were scarce.
In Florida, charges of premeditated murder carry a possible death sentence or life imprisonment.
Receive information that #UFC fighter Irwin Rivera was detained by police after allegedly stabbing sisters. More to come.
– Eric Kowal – MyMMANews.com (@MyMMANews) 7 January 2021
Online records indicate Rivera lives in Boynton Beach, Fla. He fought in the octagon last October, when he lost a split decision to Andre Ewell at UFC Vegas 11. He was a former champion of the Titan FC, he is 1-2 in three UFC outings.