Renowned UFC athlete Dustin Poirier publicly confessed the need to seek professional help after being arrested for alleged drunkenness in a public space.
The now 37-year-old fighter, who ended his 16-year MMA career last year, was stopped and detained by authorities in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this week, and was later released on bail.
Footage recorded by police body cameras shows a visibly altered Poirier threatening an officer at an airport, claiming he had been prevented from boarding a flight.
During the officer’s attempt to calm the situation, the American athlete uttered phrases such as “I’m going to fight you right now”, accompanied by offensive language, and asked “Are you going to shock me?”, while the officer prepared his stun gun.
The tension eased with the arrival of another police officer, who made the arrest. Poirier then high-fived the officer who recorded the incident, acknowledging, “You did a great job, you did what you could.”
In a statement released on his Instagram account, Poirier said he is seeking help to deal with the difficulties he has faced since retiring from the UFC.
“I have reached a point where I need help. Leaving fighting has not been easy for me, and alcohol is not the answer,” Poirier wrote in his post.
He added: “This destroyed my father’s life and I will not allow it to happen to mine. My family deserves me 100%. I am trying my hardest to get back on my feet and make the right decisions.”
In Georgia, public drunkenness is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, which can result in a sentence of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to US$1,000 (equivalent to around £757) or a combination of both penalties, a common sanction level for this type of offense in several American states.
Former interim champion in the UFC lightweight category, Poirier said goodbye to the sport the previous year, being recognized as one of the most respected athletes to compete in the Octagon.
Since his debut in the UFC in 2011, Poirier accumulated 22 victories in 32 fights in the organization, and ended his career as one of the greatest fighters who, despite never having won a unified title, left an indelible mark.
His notable career includes triumphs over the likes of Conor McGregor, Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje. In addition to his achievements in the Octagon, Poirier is notable for his charitable work, contributing to improving the lives of children in his home state of Louisiana.
Since stopping competing, Dustin Poirier has maintained his connection with the world of MMA, frequently acting as an analyst on UFC broadcasts.