Dustin Poirier opens up on depression following airport arrest: “When it hits me, it hits me hard”

Dustin Poirier has revealed a personal challenge that led to his arrest at an airport in Atlanta.

The retired UFC star didn’t spend Father’s Day weekend the way he had hoped. Footage was captured of Poirier threatening to fight a cop after he was removed from a flight for causing issues with attendants. Poirier was charged with public intoxication and is facing a misdemeanor, which could lead to one year behind bars and/or fines.

Fans have expressed concern for “The Diamond” following the incident. In a sitdown interview on “Diary of a CEO,” Poirier revealed that he was thinking about his father throughout the day before his airport situation. He said his father has a history of alcoholism and is back on the streets despite being offered help.

Poirier said this is what led to his depression rearing its ugly head once again.

“I’ve had bouts with depression throughout my career,” Poirier said. “When it hits me, it hits me hard, and that day it hit me hard, man. It just feels like everything has its own gravity and it’s gonna pull me towards the negative no matter what it is. It’s like a cloud in my head that I just can’t get out from under. It’s hard to explain it to you unless you’ve been through it. That’s what I tell my wife because she’s always so happy, which is great, but when I feel like that, and it doesn’t happen often, but man, when it hits me it’s bad.”

Prior to his arrest, Poirier had admitted that he didn’t feel there was a sense of direction post-fighting. This is despite “The Diamond’s” charity work, his hot sauce business, and his role as a desk analyst for UFC fights on Paramount. Many within the MMA space have shown their support for Poirier.