UFC legend Dustin Poirier was arrested on a public drunkenness charge at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on Sunday, according to disturbing footage of the incident. The former UFC Interim Lightweight champion, 37, was seen in body camera video confronting and threatening a police officer.
"Let's go, big dog," Poirier is heard saying to the officer in the video. "Buncha hos. Let's go. Let's go. Fin' lying motherfr." The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation, telling Poirier to "Relax, relax, relax." Poirier, who had reportedly been removed from a plane, responded, "Yeah, pulled me off the plane, all my boys went to the fin' crib. Now, what the f***?"
When asked if he was Dustin Poirier, the fighter became more agitated. "Man, f*** you, bro," Poirier said, gesturing towards female flight attendants. "F*** you, and f*** her… And f*** her." As the officer reached for his taser, Poirier asked, "You gonna tase me, dog? I'm gonna bang you up."
The confrontation shifted when a second officer arrived. After telling the officers to "arrest me," Poirier's demeanor changed, and he began congratulating the officers. He told one officer he did "a great job" and offered to fist-bump him after being handcuffed.
The arrest occurred on the same day Poirier reposted a Father's Day tribute from his wife on Instagram. Shortly after news of the arrest broke, Poirier posted a message to fans on Instagram, stating, "Love you all. I'm working on myself."
Poirier, considered one of the top fighters of his generation at lightweight, retired from the UFC last year. He holds notable victories over Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez, and Justin Gaethje. In a recent interview, Poirier discussed his transition into retirement, admitting it has been challenging. "Some days I'm great, some days I'm not so good. It's up and down honestly," he told Full Send MMA. "If I'm not working towards something or trying to better my family, I'm a danger to myself."