UFC fighter Dustin Poirier opened up about his mental health struggles following a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje, revealing that he sought therapy and made significant lifestyle changes, and now feels more optimistic about his future in the sport.
Dustin Poirier’s knockout win at UFC 299 was more than just a victory. It was the climax of a journey that began in a dark place, far from the public eye.
He opened up about this journey on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour. Poirier revealed that his knockout loss to Justin Gaethje eight months prior had plunged him into a state of despair. He was so worried about his mental health that he sought therapy.
Poirier’s struggles mirrored those of former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Volkanovski had broken down in tears describing the mental toll of his career. He took a short-notice rematch with lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, only to suffer a brutal head-kick knockout.
The same strike had felled Poirier in his rematch with Gaethje. This defeat sparked a journey of self-discovery and led to some significant lifestyle changes. One of the most important was seeking help from a mental health professional.
“I had a lot of support,” Poirier admitted. His friends, business partners in Louisiana, and especially his wife, Jolie, were instrumental in his recovery. He expressed deep gratitude for her patience and understanding, acknowledging the strain his struggles had put on her.
Poirier and Jolie, high school sweethearts, have built a life together as he pursued his MMA career. They now run Poirier’s nonprofit, The Good Fight Foundation, among other ventures.
The loss to Gaethje had triggered an identity crisis for Poirier. He questioned his future in fighting and his identity outside the ring. Therapy helped him reframe his perspective on himself and his career.
“Fighting was my whole life,” he confessed. But after the Gaethje loss, he realized that fighting was just a part of his life. It had been a vehicle to provide for his family, establish his foundation, and help others. But it didn’t define him. Life goes on.
In preparation for the Saint Denis fight, Poirier made some changes. He limited his media consumption, took morning walks to clear his mind, and even stopped responding to certain family members as UFC 299 approached. All these steps were taken to stay present and cultivate gratitude.
“I’m just really grateful for the experience of life,” he said. He cherished the opportunity to provide for his family and expressed gratitude for his journey.
Poirier emerged from his dark period with a renewed sense of optimism about his future in the sport. He’s now eyeing a title shot against current champ Islam Makhachev in June. He believes his recent win and overall record make him a deserving contender.
Looking ahead, Poirier plans to keep a therapist in his corner. He emphasized the importance of opening up about feelings and checking in with oneself. “We’re such in the spotlight of being tough guys all the time, but we’re people too,” he said. And that’s the mindset he wants to maintain: Dustin the fighter, but also just Dustin.