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Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier publicly apologized for using a racial slur during his recent arrest at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As reported by Athlon Sports, the veteran fighter directly addressed his actions in the wake of the Father’s Day incident, following weeks of online scrutiny and lost business opportunities.
The police body camera video showed an intoxicated Poirier arguing with airline staff and law enforcement officers before he was taken into custody. During the arrest, Poirier shouted a racial slur while confronting the responding officer.
Addressing the language used in the video, Poirier explained that, while he grew up around that type of speech, he knows it is not an acceptable excuse for his behavior. He went on to state that the words used during the arrest do not reflect how he normally speaks around his family.
Poirier Regrets His Actions During The Arrest
“Growing up where I grew up, speaking like that was a normal thing,” Dustin Poirier said. “I don’t talk like that. My daughter’s never really heard me talk like that. But just in the moment, drunk, I go back to these dark times.”
Poirier took responsibility for using the term and acknowledged that the context of his upbringing does not justify what was recorded on camera. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said what I said,” Dustin Poirier said.
He further clarified that he did not intend to use the word with hate, though he noted that the harm remains the same regardless of intent. “I didn’t mean it in a racist way at all, but that doesn’t matter. That’s not something that should be said ever,” Dustin Poirier said.
Beyond the public backlash, the arrest took a heavy toll on Poirier’s business deals and endorsement income. The veteran fighter revealed that the incident cost him several hundred thousand dollars in dropped sponsorships, including a longtime promotional partnership with Bud Light.
He admitted that his relationship with alcohol contributed heavily to the downward spiral after retiring from MMA competition. “I don’t have a problem with people drinking. There’s plenty of people out there who do drink responsibly. I’m not one,” Dustin Poirier said.
Despite the loss of corporate sponsors, Poirier shared that the UFC reached out immediately to offer personal support. UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell called him shortly after news of the arrest broke.
Poirier noted that he is currently working to contact the arresting officer to personally apologize and is taking steps to remain disciplined in retirement. “I’m good. My family’s good. Life is good. Another lesson learned, man. Add it to the long book that I’m writing,” Dustin Poirier said.
