Dustin Poirier asks for help after arrest footage surfaces

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier posted an emotional statement on Instagram asking for help following his arrest last weekend and the subsequent release of body-camera footage showing an airport confrontation with police.

Poirier was booked on a misdemeanor public drunkenness charge on June 21 after being removed from a plane in Georgia, as MMA Mania first reported. He was released from custody hours later. Body-cam footage released Tuesday shows a visibly intoxicated Poirier challenging officers at the airport, at one point removing his backpack and saying, "I'll fight you right now. I'll go with you right now. Let's go."

Poirier addresses alcohol struggles publicly

In an Instagram post published Tuesday, Poirier acknowledged he is struggling with the transition out of fighting. "I'm at the point where I need some help," he wrote, per MMA Mania. "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%."

In the body-cam footage, an officer drew his taser and ordered Poirier to stay back. Poirier continued moving forward and asked, "Are you going to tase me?" A second officer arrived and Poirier surrendered without further incident.

Poirier retired from mixed martial arts last year after a career that included title fights against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Islam Makhachev. He had posted a brief message shortly after his arrest saying he was "working on myself." No court date has been announced.

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• MMA Mania — UFC’s Dustin Poirier pleads for help after alarming body cam arrest video released – ‘Alcohol isn’t the answer’