Irwin Rivera’s Sisters Speak Out About Stabbings

UFC fighter Irwin Rivera was arrested for allegedly stabbing his sisters on Jan. 7. The sisters are now speaking out about the incident.

The incident report that said Rivera told police officers that he was possessed by a higher power and compelled to attack his sisters.

Rivera’s sister Kelly Rivera told E! News that her brother was not “in the right mind” when he stabbed her and their other sister Leslye. She said she was with him the whole week leading up to the attack and said he barely slept and ate.

“He was battling with something we couldn’t admit to seeing and I regret not helping out sooner,” said Kelly. “I was always his little girl and he always protected me and cared for me, which is why [I know] he would have never in the right mind do what you all think he did.”

Leslye said she also believes their brother’s mental state was unstable. Leslye wrote in a Facebook post that her brother was not acting like himself and that she flew to visit him in Florida because of this. Leslye wrote in her post that her and her family want him to get professional mental health help.

Rivera’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told ESPN that he also wants the fighter to get professional help.

“His sisters support him 100 percent,” Abdelaziz said. “They said, ‘My brother is a good, beautiful human being and needs help.’ They said it wasn’t really him.”

The UFC said in a statement that it was investigating the situation and would not be offering Rivera a fight at this time.

“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,” read the statement.

Both sisters remain hospitalized following this incident.