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Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old former UFC champion, shared about his personal struggles following retirement three months before he was arrested on a charge of public drunkenness in Georgia.
On Sunday, June 21, a video issued by the Atlanta Police Department showed him apparently intoxicated while yelling profanities and acting aggressively at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport before he was handcuffed and taken into custody. Poirier had been denied boarding a Delta flight, according to a news release from the police.
In March, during an appearance on the “The Joe Rogan Experience’’ podcast, Poirier talked about the challenges of life after retirement. His last fight took place almost a year ago.
“Retiring is scary, man,’’ Poirier said. “Days are long. I have a lot of times. I don't have to get ready for a fight. What do you want to do?’’
Poirier said he wasn't depressed but “kind of got into a funk.’’
“What the hell am I going to do with my life?’’ he continued. “Every day I would wake up for the last 20 years, how can I be better fighter? What's new in fitness? How can I push myself? I want to be the champion and then boom, you lay the gloves down and you wake up and you're a...civilian.''
Poirier won the UFC interim lightweight championship in 2019 and retired last year with a record of 30-10 (22-9 UFC).
His final bout came against longtime rival Max Holloway in July 19 with the "BMF" belt on the line. It was a trilogy fight between the two stalwarts and Holloway prevailed in the five-round fight by unanimous decision. Poirier officially retired after the fight.
“It feels crazy,'' Poirier told Rogan about eight months into retirement. "It's like I'm relearning who I am. … I don't know who I am without fighting.’’
Later during the interview with Rogan, Poirier noted he is a father and husband but still struggled without fighting at the center of his world.
Also, he is not the only family member who has struggled with alcohol, Poirier wrote on his Instagram Story Tuesday, June 23.
“Im at the point where I need some help,’’ Poirier wrote, "walking away from fighting hasn’t been easy on me and alcohol isn’t the answer. It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine, my family deserve me at 100%. I’m trying to do everything I can to get my mind right and take the right next steps.’’
Poirier had made no public comments about how his arrest might impact his bourbon brand, Rare Stash, that he launched in 2022.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dustin Poirier opened up about struggle long before arrest
Continue reading...
On Sunday, June 21, a video issued by the Atlanta Police Department showed him apparently intoxicated while yelling profanities and acting aggressively at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport before he was handcuffed and taken into custody. Poirier had been denied boarding a Delta flight, according to a news release from the police.
In March, during an appearance on the “The Joe Rogan Experience’’ podcast, Poirier talked about the challenges of life after retirement. His last fight took place almost a year ago.
“Retiring is scary, man,’’ Poirier said. “Days are long. I have a lot of times. I don't have to get ready for a fight. What do you want to do?’’
Poirier said he wasn't depressed but “kind of got into a funk.’’
“What the hell am I going to do with my life?’’ he continued. “Every day I would wake up for the last 20 years, how can I be better fighter? What's new in fitness? How can I push myself? I want to be the champion and then boom, you lay the gloves down and you wake up and you're a...civilian.''
Dustin Poirier career stats, history
Poirier won the UFC interim lightweight championship in 2019 and retired last year with a record of 30-10 (22-9 UFC).
His final bout came against longtime rival Max Holloway in July 19 with the "BMF" belt on the line. It was a trilogy fight between the two stalwarts and Holloway prevailed in the five-round fight by unanimous decision. Poirier officially retired after the fight.
“It feels crazy,'' Poirier told Rogan about eight months into retirement. "It's like I'm relearning who I am. … I don't know who I am without fighting.’’
Later during the interview with Rogan, Poirier noted he is a father and husband but still struggled without fighting at the center of his world.
Also, he is not the only family member who has struggled with alcohol, Poirier wrote on his Instagram Story Tuesday, June 23.
“Im at the point where I need some help,’’ Poirier wrote, "walking away from fighting hasn’t been easy on me and alcohol isn’t the answer. It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine, my family deserve me at 100%. I’m trying to do everything I can to get my mind right and take the right next steps.’’
Poirier had made no public comments about how his arrest might impact his bourbon brand, Rare Stash, that he launched in 2022.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dustin Poirier opened up about struggle long before arrest
Continue reading...
