Irwin Rivera

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. 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. 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.

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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Rivera made his second appearance in the organization at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik on August 8, 2020 against Ali AlQaisi. He won the fight via split decision.

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

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 Due to the two counts arrest of attempted murder of his two sisters, UFC rescinded their bout negotiation.

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

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

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

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. 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. 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. He was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder and it was determined that he was having a psychotic episode at the time of the stabbings.

Championships and accomplishments Titan FC Titan FC Bantamweight Champion (one time) One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Joshua Weems Decision (unanimous) Gamebred Fighting Championship 5

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Joseph Penafiel Decision (unanimous) Gamebred Fighting Championship 4

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Firdavs Khasanov TKO (body kick and punches) Eagle FC 46

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Andre Ewell Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ali AlQaisi Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Giga Chikadze Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Danny Sabatello TKO (punch to the body) Titan FC 58

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Matt Wagy TKO (punch to the body) Titan FC 55

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Lazar Stojadinovic TKO (punches and head kick) Titan FC 53

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Edir Terry TKO (leg injury) Titan FC 48

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Chino Duran Decision (unanimous) Combate Americas: Combate Clasico

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Kevin Natividad Decision (majority) Combate Americas: Combate 13

Tucson, Arizona, United States Loss

Jose Ceja KO (punches) Combate Americas: Empire Rising

Verona, New York, United States Win

Jose Ceja Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 52

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Loss

Steven Peterson Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 46

Allen, Texas, United States Win

Adi Alić Decision (unanimous) Fight Time 25: It's Fight Time in the Magic City

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Chris Navarro KO (punches) Fight Time 23: Mayhem in Miami

Miami, Florida, United States Win

John Rivera TKO (punches) Fight Time 22: Autism Speaks!

Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, United States Win

Andre Cuff Decision (split) Fight Time 21: Soares vs. Barroso

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States