Irwin Rivera

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.

Irwin Rivera
Born (1989-02-14) February 14, 1989
Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico
Other namesThe Beast
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)[1]
TeamBlackzilians (2013–2017)[2]
Sanford MMA (2017–present)[3]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Gilbert Burns and Herbert Burns[1]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins12
By knockout6
By submission1
By decision5
Losses7
By knockout2
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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 UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik 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]

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.[5]

Personal life

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

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
19 matches 12 wins 7 losses
By knockout 5 2
By submission 1 0
By decision 6 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–7 Joshua Weems Decision (unanimous) Gamebred Fighting Championship 5 September 8, 2023 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States Bare Knuckle MMA.
Win 12–6 Joseph Penafiel Decision (unanimous) Gamebred Fighting Championship 4 May 5, 2023 3 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Bare Knuckle MMA. Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 11–6 Firdavs Khasanov TKO (body kick and punches) Eagle FC 46 March 11, 2022 2 4:48 Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 10–6 Andre Ewell Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley September 19, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–5 Ali AlQaisi Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik August 8, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–5 Giga Chikadze Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris May 16, 2020 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States Featherweight bout.
Win 9–4 Danny Sabatello TKO (punch to the body) Titan FC 58 December 20, 2019 4 4:26 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Defended the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 8–4 Matt Wagy TKO (punch to the body) Titan FC 55 June 28, 2019 4 4:18 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Won the interim Titan FC Bantamweight Championship. Later promoted to undisputed champion.
Win 7–4 Lazar Stojadinovic TKO (punches and head kick) Titan FC 53 March 15, 2019 1 1:40 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Featherweight bout.
Loss 6–4 Edir Terry TKO (leg injury) Titan FC 48 February 16, 2018 1 1:05 Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Win 6–3 Chino Duran Decision (unanimous) Combate Americas: Combate Clasico July 27, 2017 3 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 5–3 Kevin Natividad Decision (majority) Combate Americas: Combate 13 April 20, 2017 3 5:00 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Loss 5–2 Jose Ceja KO (punches) Combate Americas: Empire Rising October 14, 2016 1 4:22 Verona, New York, United States
Win 5–1 Jose Ceja Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 52 March 25, 2016 3 4:45 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Loss 4–1 Steven Peterson Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 46 October 2, 2015 3 5:00 Allen, Texas, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 4–0 Adi Alić Decision (unanimous) Fight Time 25: It's Fight Time in the Magic City May 29, 20151 3 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 3–0 Chris Navarro KO (punches) Fight Time 23: Mayhem in Miami February 6, 2015 1 4:58 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 John Rivera TKO (punches) Fight Time 22: Autism Speaks! December 5, 2014 1 0:34 Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Andre Cuff Decision (split) Fight Time 21: Soares vs. Barroso November 7, 2014 3 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Bantamweight debut.

[29]

See also

References
  1. ufc.com. "Irwin Rivera". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  2. Mann's Blackboard REPORT (XFN 2 Irwin "The Beast" Rivera). January 22, 2014.
  3. Nolan King (May 15, 2020). "Giga Chikadze gets late UFC on ESPN 8 replacement opponent after Mike Davis withdraws". MMAjunkie.com.
  4. "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. Marc Raimondi (October 20, 2021). "UFC's Irwin Rivera freed from custody after judge approves plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on attempted murder charges". ESPN.
  6. American Battle Championships press interview erwin rivera. April 17, 2013.
  7. Shawn Ambrosino (September 12, 2019). "Titan FC Champ Irwin "The Beast" Rivera // Jiu-Jitsu Radio // ep. 82" (Podcast).
  8. Hammond, Mick (18 December 2019). "Danny Sabatello Looking To Rack Up Another W In Titan FC 58 Title Fight". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  9. "Titan FC 58 results – Irwin Rivera vs. Danny Sabatello". mymmanews.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  10. Heck, Mike; Damon, Martin (14 May 2020). "With Mike Davis out, Giga Chikadze welcomes newcomer Irwin Rivera at Saturday's UFC on ESPN 8 event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  11. Bitter, Shawn (16 May 2020). "UFC on ESPN 8 Results: Giga Chikadze Batters Irwin Rivera". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  12. Hannoun, Farah (29 July 2020). "UFC on ESPN+ 32: Ali Alqaisi vs. Irwin Rivera added to Aug. 8 event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  13. Doherty, Dan (8 August 2020). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Irwin Rivera Takes Competitive Split Decision Over Ali Al Qaisi". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  14. Redactie (2020-08-21). "Andre Ewell vs. Irwin Rivera added to UFC event on September 19". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  15. Evanoff, Josh (2020-09-19). "UFC Vegas 11 Results: Andre Ewell Outstrikes Irwin Rivera". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  16. DNA, MMA (2020-12-08). "Irwin Rivera vs. Ray Rodriguez toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 13 maart 2021". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  17. Marrocco, Steven (2021-01-07). "UFC fighter Irwin Rivera jailed on charges of attempted murder". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  18. FightBookMMA (2022-02-16). "Eagle FC 46: Lee vs. Sanchez set for March 11 | FightBook MMA". Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  19. "Eagle FC 46 video: Irwin Rivera scores body kick TKO in first fight since release from jail". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  20. Heck, Mike (2023-04-21). "Roy Nelson vs. Dillon Cleckler headlines Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle event on May 5". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  21. "Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA live stream, results: Roy Nelson vs. Dillon Cleckler". MMA Junkie.
  22. Newswire, MMA Fighting (2023-09-08). "Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Results: dos Santos vs. Werdum". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  23. Steven Marrocco (2021-01-07). "UFC fighter Irwin Rivera jailed on charges of first-degree premeditated murder". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  24. Darrelle Lincoln (2021-01-07). "BREAKING: UFC'S IRWIN RIVERA ARRESTED ON 2 COUNTS OF 1ST-DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER, ALLEGEDLY STABBED SISTERS". TotalProSports.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  25. Canova, Daniel (January 7, 2021). "UFC fighter arrested on charges of first-degree premeditated murder of his sisters". Fox News.
  26. Steven Marrocco (2021-01-08). "Irwin Rivera held at mental health facility, sister issues message of support after 'he completely broke'". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  27. Newswire, MMA Fighting (2021-10-19). "UFC bantamweight Irwin Rivera released from custody following attempted murder charges". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  28. Irwin Rivera [@Beast144_1] (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!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. Sherdog.com. "Irwin "The Beast" Rivera". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
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