Irwin Rivera Explained

Irwin Rivera
Other Names:The Beast
Birth Date:14 February 1989
Birth Place:Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico
Weight Lb:135
Weight Class:Bantamweight
Featherweight
Reach:67 in[1]
Team:Blackzilians (2013–2017)[2]
Sanford MMA (2017–present)[3]
Years Active:2014–present
Rank:Purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Gilbert Burns and Herbert Burns
Mma Kowin:6
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Decwin:5
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Decloss:5
Sherdog:78383

Irwin Rivera (born February 14, 1989) is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Eagle Fighting Championship. A professional mixed martial artist since 2014, Rivera has competed for Combate Americas, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Titan FC where he was the Bantamweight Champion.

Background

Rivera was born in Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, but immigrated with his parents to New Windsor, New York where he grew up.[4] He has a younger sister Kelly, older sister Lezlye and a brother.[5] Rivera initially trained for boxing, but dabbled into mixed martial arts after his boxing gym closed its doors.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Titan FC

After getting cut from Combate Americas, Rivera made his Titan Fighting Championship debut against Edir Terry at Titan FC 48 on February 16, 2018.[7] He lost the fight due to technical knockout stemming from a leg injury.

Rivera made his sophomore appearance in Titan FC against Lazar Stojadinovic at Titan FC 53 on March 15, 2019. He won the fight via first-round knockout.

Rivera then faced Matt Wagy for the interim Titan FC Bantamweight Championship at Titan FC 55 on June 28, 2019. Rivera claimed the interim championship via fourth-round technical knockout stemming from a body punch. On November 11, 2019, Rivera was elevated to undisputed Bantamweight Champion after the reigning champion Rudson Caliocane vacated the title.

For his first title defense, Rivera faced Danny Sabatello at Titan FC 58 on December 20, 2019.[8] Rivera retained his title via fourth-round technical knockout. In May 2020, Rivera vacated his title in order to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Replacing Mike Davis on two days' notice, Rivera signed with the UFC and faced Giga Chikadze in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 172 on May 16, 2020.[10] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[11]

Rivera made his second appearance in the organization at on August 8, 2020 against Ali AlQaisi.[12] He won the fight via split decision.[13]

Rivera faced Andre Ewell on September 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178.[14] He lost the fight via split decision.[15]

Rivera was scheduled to face Ray Rodriguez on March 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 187.[16] Due to the two counts arrest of attempted murder of his two sisters, UFC rescinded their bout negotiation.[17]

Post UFC

Rivera faced Firdavs Khasanov at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022.[18] He won the bout in the second round after dropping Khasanov with a body kick and then finishing him with ground and pound.[19]

Rivera faced Joseph Penafiel at Gamebred FC 4 in a bare-knuckle MMA bout on May 5, 2023,[20] winning the bout via unanimous decision.[21]

Rivera faced Joshua Weems on September 8, 2023 at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5, losing via unanimous decision.[22]

Legal troubles

In January 2021, Rivera was arrested on two counts of attempted murder in Palm Beach County, Florida after he allegedly stabbed his two sisters. He was booked into the Palm Beach County jail and held without bail.[23] [24] [25] On January 8, it was revealed that Rivera was being kept in a mental health facility rather than in jail. His sisters also broke their silence, stating that they love Irwin and that all that they wish for their brother is for him to get the help that he needs for his mental state.[26] Irwin was granted a conditional release from custody on October 19, 2021, after the judge in the case approved Rivera’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.[27] He was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder and it was determined that he was having a psychotic episode at the time of the stabbings.

Personal life

Rivera has a daughter (born 2016) from his previous relationship.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|12–7|Joshua Weems|Decision (unanimous)|Gamebred Fighting Championship 5||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Jacksonville, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–6|Joseph Penafiel|Decision (unanimous)|Gamebred Fighting Championship 4||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States ||-| Win| align=center| 11–6| Firdavs Khasanov| TKO (body kick and punches)| Eagle FC 46| | align=center|2| align=center|4:48| Miami, Florida, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 10–6| Andre Ewell| Decision (split)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 10–5| Ali AlQaisi| Decision (split)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 9–5| Giga Chikadze| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Jacksonville, Florida, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 9–4| Danny Sabatello| TKO (punch to the body)| Titan FC 58| | align=center| 4| align=center| 4:26| Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 8–4| Matt Wagy| TKO (punch to the body)| Titan FC 55| | align=center| 4| align=center| 4:18| Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 7–4| Lazar Stojadinovic| TKO (punches and head kick)| Titan FC 53| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:40| Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 6–4| Edir Terry| TKO (leg injury)| Titan FC 48| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:05| Coral Gables, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center| 6–3| Chino Duran| Decision (unanimous)| Combate Americas: Combate Clasico| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Miami, Florida, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 5–3| Kevin Natividad| Decision (majority)| Combate Americas: Combate 13| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Tucson, Arizona, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 5–2| Jose Ceja| KO (punches)| Combate Americas: Empire Rising| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:22| Verona, New York, United States||-| Win| align=center| 5–1| Jose Ceja| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Legacy FC 52| | align=center| 3| align=center| 4:45| Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 4–1| Steven Peterson| Decision (unanimous)| Legacy FC 46| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Allen, Texas, United States||-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Adi Alić| Decision (unanimous)| Fight Time 25: It's Fight Time in the Magic City| 1| align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Miami, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Chris Navarro| KO (punches)| Fight Time 23: Mayhem in Miami| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:58| Miami, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center| 2–0| John Rivera| TKO (punches)| Fight Time 22: Autism Speaks!| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:34| Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Andre Cuff| Decision (split)| Fight Time 21: Soares vs. Barroso| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States|[29]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ufc.com. Irwin Rivera. 2020-09-18. Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  2. Mann's Blackboard REPORT (XFN 2 Irwin "The Beast" Rivera). January 22, 2014.
  3. Web site: Giga Chikadze gets late UFC on ESPN 8 replacement opponent after Mike Davis withdraws. Nolan King. MMAjunkie.com. May 15, 2020.
  4. Web site: Co-Main Event and Undercard Fights Announced for "Empire Rising," a World Champion MMA Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino on October 14. turningstone.com.
  5. Web site: UFC's Irwin Rivera freed from custody after judge approves plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on attempted murder charges. Marc Raimondi. October 20, 2021. ESPN.
  6. American Battle Championships press interview erwin rivera. April 17, 2013.
  7. Titan FC Champ Irwin "The Beast" Rivera // Jiu-Jitsu Radio // ep. 82. September 12, 2019. Shawn Ambrosino.
  8. Web site: Hammond . Mick . Danny Sabatello Looking To Rack Up Another W In Titan FC 58 Title Fight . mmaweekly.com . 3 June 2022 . 18 December 2019.
  9. Web site: Titan FC 58 results – Irwin Rivera vs. Danny Sabatello . mymmanews.com . 3 June 2022.
  10. Web site: Heck . Mike . Damon . Martin . With Mike Davis out, Giga Chikadze welcomes newcomer Irwin Rivera at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event . mmafighting.com . 3 June 2022 . 14 May 2020.
  11. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . UFC on ESPN 8 Results: Giga Chikadze Batters Irwin Rivera . cagesidepress.com . 3 June 2022 . 16 May 2020.
  12. Web site: Hannoun . Farah . UFC on ESPN+ 32: Ali Alqaisi vs. Irwin Rivera added to Aug. 8 event . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . 3 June 2022 . 29 July 2020.
  13. Web site: Doherty . Dan . UFC Vegas 6 Results: Irwin Rivera Takes Competitive Split Decision Over Ali Al Qaisi . cagesidepress.com . 3 June 2022 . 8 August 2020.
  14. Web site: Andre Ewell vs. Irwin Rivera added to UFC event on September 19. mmadna.nl. Redactie. 2020-08-21. 2020-08-21. en-nl.
  15. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2020-09-19. UFC Vegas 11 Results: Andre Ewell Outstrikes Irwin Rivera. 2020-09-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  16. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2020-12-08. Irwin Rivera vs. Ray Rodriguez toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 13 maart 2021. 2020-12-12. MMA DNA. en-US.
  17. Web site: Marrocco. Steven. 2021-01-07. UFC fighter Irwin Rivera jailed on charges of attempted murder. 2021-01-08. MMA Fighting. en.
  18. Web site: FightBookMMA. 2022-02-16. Eagle FC 46: Lee vs. Sanchez set for March 11 FightBook MMA. 2022-02-17. en-US.
  19. Web site: 2022-03-12 . Eagle FC 46 video: Irwin Rivera scores body kick TKO in first fight since release from jail . 2022-03-12 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  20. Web site: Heck . Mike . 2023-04-21 . Roy Nelson vs. Dillon Cleckler headlines Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle event on May 5 . 2023-04-29 . MMA Fighting . en.
  21. Web site: Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA live stream, results: Roy Nelson vs. Dillon Cleckler . MMA Junkie.
  22. Web site: Newswire . MMA Fighting . 2023-09-08 . Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Results: dos Santos vs. Werdum . 2023-09-17 . MMA Fighting . en.
  23. Web site: UFC fighter Irwin Rivera jailed on charges of first-degree premeditated murder. Steven Marrocco. MMAFighting.com. 2021-01-07. 2021-01-07.
  24. Web site: BREAKING: UFC'S IRWIN RIVERA ARRESTED ON 2 COUNTS OF 1ST-DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER, ALLEGEDLY STABBED SISTERS. TotalProSports.com. Darrelle Lincoln. 2021-01-07. 2021-01-07.
  25. Web site: UFC fighter arrested on charges of first-degree premeditated murder of his sisters. Daniel. Canova. January 7, 2021. Fox News.
  26. Web site: Irwin Rivera held at mental health facility, sister issues message of support after 'he completely broke'. MMAFighting.com. 2021-01-08. Steven Marrocco. 2021-01-08.
  27. Web site: Newswire. MMA Fighting. 2021-10-19. UFC bantamweight Irwin Rivera released from custody following attempted murder charges. 2021-10-20. MMA Fighting. en.
  28. 1285992387559542786. Beast144_1. Irwin Rivera. July 22, 2020. 2018 broke my leg in a fight. Fell to 6-4. Then the mother of my child tried to take my baby girl from me. I went thru a court custody battle. All while trying to heal up and get career back on track. -Don't matter what or who tries to bring us down. Only matters if we let them!.
  29. Web site: Sherdog.com. Irwin "The Beast" Rivera. 2020-08-24. Sherdog.

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