Following his arrest for alleged public drunkenness, Dustin Poirier has publicly acknowledged that he requires support. The 37-year-old athlete, who concluded a notable 16-year mixed martial arts career last year, was taken into custody in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this week and has since been released on bail.
Police body camera footage shows a distressed Poirier at an airport, where he claimed to have been removed from a flight. The video depicts him using profanity and threatening an officer, asking if he was going to be tased during the confrontation. Eventually, he settled down as backup arrived, even complimenting the officer who recorded the encounter for handling the situation professionally.
Addressing the incident on Instagram, the former interim lightweight champion admitted that life post-retirement has been challenging. He stated that turning to alcohol is not a viable solution and that he is committed to prioritizing his family and mental health. Public intoxication in Georgia is a misdemeanor that can result in fines up to $1,000 or a jail sentence of up to one year.
Poirier, who won 22 of his 32 UFC matches, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished fighters to never secure an undisputed title. During his career, he defeated high-profile opponents such as Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Justin Gaethje. Since stepping away from active competition in 2011, he has remained involved with the UFC as an analyst.
