UFC legend Dustin Poirier plans to get help for what he admits is an issue with alcohol abuse that runs in his family.
Dustin Poirier is usually in the Mixed Martial Arts headlines for the right reasons, but this last Sunday was an exception.
Poirier, 37, was arrested by police at Atlanta International Airport on Sunday for ‘public intoxication’, a misdemeanor in Georgia. In now-viral footage of Poirier’s arrest, the former UFC superstar was kicked off a flight after insulting several airline staff members and threatening several officers who responded to the scene.
Luckily, Poirier was eventually put in police custody with little issue, and he was later released on bond after appearing in an Atlanta courtroom on Monday. The former UFC interim lightweight champion has no prior criminal history.
It was initially thought that Poirier’s drunken incident was a one-off. But according to the longtime UFC fan favorite, Poirier has had an issue with alcohol for months, since retiring from Mixed Martial Arts last year.
Dustin Poirier says he ‘needs some help’ in startling admission after Atlanta arrest
In a recent Instagram story post, Poirier made a heartbreaking admission about how he’s handled life after fighting amidst his current legal issues.
“I’m at the point where I need some help, walking away from fighting hasn’t been easy on me and alcohol isn’t the answer,” Poirier said.
“It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine, my family deserves me at 100 percent. I’m trying to do everything I can to get my mind right and take the right next steps.”
Poirier’s arrest came just weeks after he shared his recent struggles with life after fighting in an interview with Full Send MMA. In the interview, Poirier admitted ‘Some days are great, and some days aren’t’ when asked about how his mental health has been since walking away at UFC 318.
If convicted of the ‘public intoxication’ misdemeanor charge, Poirier faces up to a year in prison and/or a fine.
Poirier retired from MMA after a loss to then-BMF titleholder Max Holloway at UFC 318, before transitioning into an analyst role as a part of Paramount+’s UFC coverage. He’s a co-host of the Deep Waters podcast alongside Din Thomas, Jorge Masvidal, and other rotating guests.
As of this writing, UFC CEO Dana White and the promotion haven’t publicly commented on Poirier’s arrest.
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