Rivera Booked Into custody on Thursday At the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach

UFC Bantamweight Irwin Rivera was arrested on Thursday in West Palm Beach, Florida and charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. Sources say that Rivera was arrested after stabbing his sisters.

The UFC has released a statement regarding the recent charges against Rivera…

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.

According to the Boynton Beach Police, officers were called to a residence and discovered two women with multiple stab wounds. Both were alive and were rushed to the hospital. Both sisters were staying with Rivera when they awoke to him repeatedly stabbing them with a knife. Rivera fled the scene of the crime shortly after 7am and according to police admitted that he had stabbed them because of a “higher power”. He was arrested just after 12pm on Thursday after being apprehended by the Boynton Beach Police Department. He is being held without bail.

In Florida, first-degree premeditated murder charges carry a life in prison sentence and a potential death sentence. Rivera last bout in the octagon was in September 2020 where he lost to Andre Ewell via Split Decision.