UFC Fighter Irwin Rivera's Family Defends Him After Stabbing: 'Something Evil Took Over Him'

UFC bantamweight fighter Irwin Rivera is facing attempted murder charges in Florida after he allegedly stabbed his two sisters, but his family has come to his defense. They said that the 31-year-old is dealing with mental distress and needs help.

On Friday, Rivera’s family confirmed that his mental state was not right, MMA Junkie reported. Among those who defended the Mexican are the sisters he allegedly stabbed.

“Me and kelz are fine n well so we just wanna clear the air n let it be known that this is not about us! We love our brother to the fullest and anyone that knows us n our family knows exactly how much we all LOVE and mean to eachother and knows jst how close we as a family are, all we wish is for him to get the professional mental help he so desperately needs [sic],” his sister Lezlye Rivera wrote on Facebook.

It was earlier reported that Rivera attacked his sisters, Lezyle and Kelly, after the two paid him a visit from out of town because they were worried about him. Both sisters are fine after the incident.

They were taken to the Delray Beach Medical Center to treat several stab wounds on the head, back, arms, faces and hands. However, the younger sister had two collapsed lungs.

Rivera’s mother, Susana Campos, concurred with her daughters that Rivera’s mental state was not right in the days before the attack, Mexican newspaper Milenio reported. She added that her son lost his mind and alleged that "something evil took over him a few days ago." His mind was "blocked" and Rivera was just not himself, Campos said.

The statement somehow aligns with what authorities got out of Rivera when they apprehended him. The mixed martial artist fled the scene after the stabbing incident and reportedly told police that he did so because it was his purpose and that he was ordered by a higher power.

Rivera is now being held in a behavioral health facility without bail and appeared in court Friday. An emergency motion was granted to use the Baker Act, allowing people with mental illness to be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours in a mental health treatment facility, a Palm Beach County court spokesperson said in a statement to MMAfighting.com.