UFC fighter Irwin Rivera has been arrested on two counts of attempted murder for stabbing his sisters in the middle of the night, according to reports. The 31-year-old fighter was booked into custody on Thursday at 12.08 p.m. at the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, MMA Fighting reported. No bond has been set.
The incident took place late on Wednesday evening at Rivera's residence in Boynton Beach, Florida. Police called to the scene arrived to discover his two sisters with multiple stab wounds.
Rivera's youngest sister, 22, was lying on the side of the road outside the house with multiple wounds to her back, head, and arm, according to a police report. Police discovered Rivera's second sister, 33, inside the house with multiple wounds to the back, face, arms, and hands. She was covered in blood, the report noted.
In a sworn statement, neighbors said one of the sisters ran to them for help. They immediately contacted police. Rivera meanwhile had fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement on Thursday morning.
During interviews with police, Rivera said he entered his sisters' bedroom while they were sleeping and stabbed them with a brass knuckle knife. Convinced that they were dead, he told officers it was his "purpose" to kill them and that he had been told to do so by "a higher power."
In a statement to MMA Fighting, a UFC official said Rivera's career was on hold pending an investigation.
"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 statement read.
"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."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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