UFC fighter Irwin Rivera jailed for premeditated first degree murder

UFC bantamweight Irwin Rivera was arrested and jailed Thursday on two counts of premeditated first degree murder.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Fla. County Sheriff’s Office, Online Arrest Records Rivera was taken into custody at 12:08 p.m. Thursday at the West Palm Beach Main Detention Center. No bond has been set for the 31-year-old fighter. Multiple requests for comment to the office’s public information officer were not returned and a dispatch officer said he could not provide any information on the case.

Rivera manager Ali Abdelaziz did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A UFC official made a statement to MMA Fighting confirming Rivera’s career was on hiatus pending an investigation from the promotion.

“The UFC is aware of the recent incident involving Irwin Rivera and has subsequently received information from his management that he was behaving compatible with mental health issues,” the statement read. “The allegations are extremely disturbing and the organization is currently collecting additional information. The investigation is ongoing and all potential next steps, including disciplinary action or medical attention, will be determined upon conclusion. Additionally, the UFC has informed Rivera’s management that he will not be offered a fight at this time.

According to MMA reporter Eric Kowal, who first reported Rivera’s detention, the fighter was taken into custody because he was suspected of stabbing his sisters. Further details on the charges against the UFC veteran were scarce.

In Florida, first-degree premeditated murder charges carry a death sentence or a life sentence.

Online records show Rivera lives in Boynton Beach, Florida. He recently fought in the Octagon last October when he lost a split decision to Andre Ewell at UFC Vegas 11. A former Titan FC champion, he’s 1-2 in three UFCs. exits.