Sean Strickland rips Dustin Poirier over depression remarks

Sean Strickland dismissed Dustin Poirier's recent comments about mental health struggles following the lightweight's arrest for alleged public intoxication at an airport.

Poirier was barred from boarding a flight and arrested earlier this week, per Sherdog. Afterward, the former interim UFC champion addressed his battle with depression publicly. Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, responded by saying Poirier had no grounds to claim depression given his wealth and popularity.

Strickland questions depression claims on social media

"Youre rich and loved by thousands of people.. Youre not allowed to be depressed... What you did is got kicked off a flight and tried to fight a cop....relax it happens to the best of us," Strickland wrote on X, according to the report.

The former middleweight champion doubled down in a follow-up post, contrasting Poirier's situation with terminally ill children. Strickland questioned why someone financially secure would look in the mirror and declare himself depressed.

Poirier has discussed mental health issues multiple times since retiring from active competition. Strickland argued that real happiness stems from serving family and community, not from introspection about personal fulfillment after a fighting career ends.

Strickland holds the UFC middleweight title and remains one of the promotion's most outspoken figures. No timeline has been announced for his next title defense.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Sean Strickland criticizes Dustin Poirier’s depression comments after arrest