UFC legend Dustin Poirier has made it clear that he is not looking for sympathy following his recent airport arrest, insisting that he takes full responsibility for his actions.
The former interim lightweight champion found himself at the center of controversy after he was arrested for public intoxication at an Atlanta airport during the July 4 holiday weekend. Video footage of the incident quickly spread online, showing Poirier involved in an altercation with a police officer after being removed from a flight.
In the aftermath, several figures within the MMA community came to Poirier’s defense, including former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. However, Dustin Poirier says he is not interested in excuses or public validation.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast, the retired UFC star acknowledged the support he has received but stressed that he alone is accountable for what happened.
“My buddy Kyle, the guy who I work out with every day, told me that Jon Jones came out and said something, and it was positive,” Poirier said. “He said Matt Brown as well, a former fighter, did a video, and he said it was really nice.”
“I’m sure I’ll see some of that stuff. I don’t want to relive the moment that much. I don’t want to keep diving back into it. But when I do get back on social media or start watching videos, I’m sure I’m going to see some of it.”
While grateful for the support, Poirier emphasized that he does not want anyone to justify his behavior.
“I appreciate everybody, but I’m not looking for sympathy or to make this OK. It’s not OK. It’s not,” Poirier said.
“I don’t want to blame anything or have a crutch to lean on about my actions or what happened. I did it. I’m not blaming it on mental health or anything like that, even though I’m focusing on that now. I did that. I decided to drink that day when I wasn’t feeling well. It’s all on me.”
The incident sparked widespread discussion across the MMA world, with fans and fellow fighters weighing in on Poirier’s situation. One of the most vocal reactions came from former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland questioned Poirier’s comments about mental health and accused him of making excuses for his behavior. However, after speaking directly with the former UFC title challenger, he changed his stance.
In a post on social media, Strickland admitted he had misjudged the situation.
“I spoke to Dustin and he is legitimately messed up by his actions,” Strickland wrote. “I thought he was just doing PR clean up, to be honest… I guess not everyone is a POS like me.So yeah, I repent and I am sorry Dustin.”
Strickland also expressed hope that Poirier would not lose one of his major sponsorship deals as a result of the incident.
The apology marked a significant shift from Strickland’s earlier criticism, especially given that the outspoken fighter has previously discussed his own mental health struggles despite his success inside the Octagon.
For Dustin Poirier, the focus now appears to be on accountability and personal growth rather than public sympathy. The 37-year-old retired from professional MMA competition following his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318, bringing an end to one of the most respected careers in UFC history.
Although Poirier has occasionally admitted that he misses competition, he has not indicated any plans for a comeback. Instead, he continues to reflect on the recent incident while working through the challenges that have emerged since stepping away from the sport.
For now, Dustin Poirier remains committed to owning his mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward without making excuses.
