Dustin Poirier Receives Immediate Support from UFC After Airport Incident

Dustin Poirier Receives Immediate Support from UFC After Airport Incident

What happened?

Dustin Poirier, the retired former interim lightweight champion, was arrested at the Atlanta airport last month after being denied boarding on a Delta flight. The incident turned combative before officers took him into custody on a public intoxication charge.

Why it matters for Dustin Poirier

The UFC's swift response to Poirier's situation has been a welcome relief for the fighter, who has been dealing with the fallout from the arrest. Poirier revealed that UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell contacted him the very next day, offering the company's backing during a difficult stretch.

What comes next?

Poirier's arrest has had a significant impact on his life, including losing at least one sponsorship since the incident became public. However, the support from Campbell stands out given Poirier's history with the promotion, which spans 16 years competing for the UFC.

Dustin Poirier says the UFC did not waste any time showing him support after his arrest at the Atlanta airport last month. The retired former interim lightweight champion revealed that UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell contacted him the very next day, offering the company's backing during a difficult stretch.

"I believe his exact words were something on the line of, 'I can't let somebody who fought for this company for over 15 years try to handle all this on his own,'" Poirier recalled. "Or something like, 'We have your back, let us know what you need from us.'"

Notably absent from that outreach was UFC CEO Dana White. "I haven't heard from Dana," Poirier said. "Hunter is the one that reached out."

Poirier was arrested on June 21 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after being denied boarding on a Delta flight. He later opened up to ESPN about what led to the outburst, revealing it happened on Father's Day and tying it to his own father's longtime struggles with alcoholism and homelessness, along with his own difficulty adjusting to life after retiring from fighting last July.

The support from Campbell stands out given Poirier's history with the promotion. He spent 16 years competing for the UFC, closing out his career last summer with a retirement bout against Max Holloway in his home state of Louisiana.

Poirier has said the fallout from the arrest is still playing out, including losing at least one sponsorship since the incident became public.

The UFC's Support

The UFC's swift response to Poirier's situation has been a welcome relief for the fighter, who has been dealing with the fallout from the arrest. Poirier's history with the promotion spans 16 years, and the support from Campbell is a testament to the company's commitment to its athletes.

Conclusion

Dustin Poirier's situation is a reminder that even in difficult times, there are people who care and are willing to help. The UFC's support has been a lifeline for Poirier, and it's a reminder that the company is more than just a promotion-it's a community that looks out for its own.

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