Dustin Poirier shares update on UFC return as he explains exactly what led to airport arrest

UFC legend Dustin Poirier has all but confirmed he’ll never fight again in his first interview since being arrested.

Poirier was arrested in Georgia over Father’s Day weekend last month and shocking footage emerged online just days later showing the American threatening to fight a police officer during the incident.

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The 37-year-old was picked up at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, later charged with public intoxication and is currently out on bond while he awaits a court date.

Poirier’s arrest came 11 months after he retired from competition, having contested his final bout against Max Holloway at UFC 318 in his home state of Louisiana.

However, ‘The Diamond’ has consistently discussed his post-retirement struggles and mental health issues, particularly depression, as well as daily battles with himself debating a return.

Having then made his way back to training over the last five months and teased MMA fans with a fight, Poirier has now poured cold water on the idea of him making a comeback.

Poirier talks UFC return

“Five per cent,” Poirier told Steven Bartlett on The Diary Of A CEO when asked about the likelihood of his return.

The American explained the odds have progressively lowered since he retired and added: “Because I would have to, first of all, get my wife on board.

“But I’d have to reinstate myself in the drug testing protocol, do six months of clean drug testing before I’m eligible to compete again.

“So that would be another six months — it’s just a lot of hoops to jump through.”

Despite fans eager to see Poirier run it back for one last dance, especially with his former foe Conor McGregor coming back to the UFC this weekend, his acknowledgement that the fighting chapter is over is refreshing to most in the MMA world.

After all, the biggest fight Poirier faces right now comes outside of the cage.

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Poirier’s depression admission

Since his arrest, Poirier has admitted he needs help and has vowed to never touch a drop of alcohol again.

In his long sit-down conversation with Bartlett, the retired UFC lightweight star opened up about his dealings with alcohol, which caused his father to become homeless, and what led to his arrest.

Poirier says his knockout loss to current UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in July 2023 served somewhat as a catalyst for his struggles outside of the Octagon.

That’s when depression kicked in and the Louisiana man began seeing a therapist.

Then came his airport arrest on Father’s Day, when Poirier said the typically celebratory day for many had him emotional, thinking about his dad, whom he unsuccessfully attempted to track down as soon as he was released from jail in June.

“It was actually a three-leg trip,” Poirier explained, speaking about the day he was arrested.

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“I was supposed to go to South Florida for a day, that afternoon fly out, go to LA, shoot a commercial for three days, from LA to Vegas, work for CBS for the weekend and then fly home… we didn’t even get the first leg.

“On my flight from Lafayette, Louisiana, I drank two glasses of champagne, nothing crazy…

“I landed in Atlanta, had a little bit of a layover, went to a restaurant bar, started drinking champagne; some guys came in, took some shots, and one thing led to another.

“I go to my gate, get into it with the desk agent, and they call security and the police.”

Poirier, who said he can’t recall what was said to those working the gate, continued: “I never got on the plane, I don’t believe. I’m pretty sure.

“[I’m] 90 per cent sure I never got on the plane, and it might have been that.

UFC Schedule

The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.

On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.

With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.

There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.

“The desk agent might’ve seen I was intoxicated and said, ‘You can’t get on this plane,’ and that might’ve started it, I don’t know.

“But I do want to apologise to those desk agents, whoever they are, and police officers…

“It could’ve been so much worse. I just want to thank them. I didn’t get to do that.”

Poirier has promised his wife and partner of more than 20 years, Jolie, that his actions will never happen again.

“I did these things,” he concluded.

“I know right and wrong. I don’t want to lean on [fighting, head trauma or my homeless father] as a crutch for my actions.”