BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — A professional mixed martial arts fighter has been arrested on two counts of attempted murder in South Florida.
Irwin Rivera, 31, was taken into custody Thursday morning, Boynton Beach police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Rivera is accused of stabbing his two sisters.
Police said two women, ages 22 and 33, were found with multiple stab wounds after officers were called to Rivera's home. Police said one of the women told officers that "her brother had stabbed her and her sister was still in the house."
Neighbors told police they were awakened by a loud banging at their front door and found a woman covered in blood and pleading for help, saying, "He's trying to kill me. Please help my sister."
Witnesses said a blood-soaked Rivera was also outside and told them to "shut the door" and that "everything is OK." They said Rivera then ran off.
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According to the affidavit, when police caught up with Rivera, he told them, "I killed my sisters."
Police said Rivera admitted to stabbing his sisters and said he thought he had killed them.
When asked why he did it, Rivera told police he did so "because it was his purpose" and that he "was told to by a higher power."
Both victims were taken to Delray Medical Center.
Rivera, who made his UFC debut in 2018, was being held without bond Friday morning at the main Palm Beach County jail.
UFC told ESPN in a statement that it was investigating the "extremely troubling" incident and that Rivera "will not be offered a bout at this time."