Sean Strickland apologizes to Dustin Poirier over arrest comments

Sean Strickland has apologized to Dustin Poirier for comments he made following Poirier's arrest at an Atlanta airport over July 4 weekend.

The former UFC middleweight champion initially responded to Poirier's public apology by dismissing it as insincere, telling the retired lightweight on social media that he was being selfish. But Strickland reversed course after the two fighters spoke privately, MMA Fighting reports.

"I spoke to Dustin and he is legitimately messed up by his actions," Strickland wrote on Twitter. "I thought he was just doing PR clean up tbh… I guess not everyone is a POS like me. So yeah, I repent and I am sorry Dustin."

Poirier arrested after altercation with officer

Poirier was removed from a flight while intoxicated and had an altercation with a police officer before being arrested on charges of public drunkenness. Video of the incident circulated widely online. The 37-year-old later issued an apology and praised the officer's handling of the situation, expressing shame over his behavior.

Strickland's initial criticism stood out given his own public discussions about mental health struggles despite his success in the cage. The middleweight contender added in his apology that he hopes Poirier does not lose his Bud Light sponsorship over the incident.

Poirier retired from MMA in July 2025 after losing to Max Holloway at UFC 318, though he has said in interviews that the thought of fighting again still crosses his mind.

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• MMA Fighting — Sean Strickland apologizes to Dustin Poirier for denouncing post-arrest comments: ‘I guess not everyone is a POS like me’