Dustin Poirier Opens Up on Airport Arrest, Avoids Bodycam Video
Dustin Poirier still refuses to watch the bodycam footage from his Father's Day arrest at an Atlanta airport for public intoxication.
The retired UFC lightweight told the Diary of a CEO podcast that he's been shielded from the full video by his wife and training partner, though they've filled him in on the broad strokes. "I don't want to see it," he said, per MMA Mania. "To see myself in that condition, disrespecting a police officer, disrespecting workers at the airport, disrespecting myself, disrespecting my family. I just don't feel like it's gonna benefit me to see that."
Poirier Cites Father's Homelessness as Trigger for Incident
Poirier revealed that his estranged father's ongoing struggles with homelessness weighed heavily on him that day, explaining that the man's repeated refusals of help left him in a dark place before boarding. "On Father's Day, I was traveling to work, and I just couldn't stop thinking about my father," he said. "And I started drinking in the airport, and that's kind of what led to the incident." He described his father as fitting the profile of a classic alcoholic who remains on the streets despite offers of support.
The former lightweight contender admitted he knew better than to drink while experiencing depressive symptoms, saying therapy had helped in the past but that he stopped practicing the tools once he felt better. He called alcohol a pattern he inherited from his father and one he now refuses to let destroy his family. Shortly after his release from custody, Poirier posted an apology acknowledging he needs help and stating that walking away from fighting has been harder than expected.
Poirier said he uninstalled all social media immediately after the incident and has avoided the memes and commentary that followed. He's scheduled to appear in court later this month on the misdemeanor charge.
Original reporting:
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