Dustin Poirier is apologizing to law enforcement and desk agents who confronted him during his recent arrest at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“I do want to apologize to those desk agents, whoever they are, and the police for having to put up with me, man,” Poirier told The Diary of a CEO.
Poirier wants to also personally thank the one officer who dealt with the situation until back-up arrived.
“I actually asked a lawyer in Atlanta, who I’ve been working with, if he can, please, give me that officer’s information, his address, if I can write him a letter, his cell phone if I can call him. Just to tell him how great of a job he did dealing with a person in that condition and how professional he was. He was incredible. It could’ve been so much worse,” he said. “Looking back at it now, with what they’re telling me and the way he handled it, he did a great job. I need to thank him because, like I said, it could’ve been so much worse,”
On the flight, Poirier was acting in a volatile manner and was removed. He then threatened a police officer and insulted the staff.
“Man, f–k you, bro. F–k you, and f–k her, and f–k her!” he said calling the pair of female airline staff “whores”.
TMZ released body cam footage of the arrest.
🚨 Dustin Poirier was unhinged during his arrest this week in a totally chaotic scene
🎥: Atlanta Police Department pic.twitter.com/DKCBQBLR81
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) June 23, 2026
“I will fight you right now! I will go with you right!” said Poirier to a police officer after removing his backpack.
The officer can be heard saying he doesn’t want a fight or a physical altercation. The officer called for backup at which Poirier said the situation was going to be “bad”. The officer backed away from Poirier.
“What’s a matter? You don’t want to fight?” asked Poirier advancing towards the officer and two female airline employees who then gathered their belongings and left the area and the boarding gate.
The officer pulls out a taser.
“You going to tase me now? I will bust you up,” says Poirier.
When another officer arrives, Poirier submits to an arrest.
While handcuffed he then fist-bumps the officer saying he did a great job.
Poirier reflected on his own actions which escalated the situation.
“What if it was a young, hot head cop who wanted to be a superstar, or wanted to… it could’ve been horrible. I could be sitting here facing serious charges and just to put my wife and my children through that, just, it’s not good,” said Poirier.
Poirier explained who Father’s Day hit him so hard.
“On Father’s Day, I was traveling to work, and I just couldn’t stop thinking about my father. I started drinking at the airport and that’s what kind of led to the incident. When I feel like that, and I’ve been going to therapy, years ago I started going to therapy…Obviously, I did what I did. Alcohol has never benefited me especially in times where I’m mentally not the best,” he said.
Despite what his father has put him through, Poirier said he tried to help him.
“He’s ruined his marriages, he’s ruined his relationships, he’s ruined his friendship, he’s ruined his relationships with his family, with his kids. He has two kids who won’t speak to him at all. He’s been in jail plenty of times for alcohol-related stuff. He’s actually homeless right now. … I try to help him, and he’s back on the street. It’s like he almost doesn’t want help,” he admitted.
Poirier admitted that he hasn’t watched the video of the incident and cannot bring himself to do so.
“To see myself in that condition, disrespecting police officers, disrespecting workers at the airport disrespecting myself, disrespecting my family, I just don’t feel like it’s going to benefit me to see that. If anything, I think it’s going to bring me down, I’m going to keep thinking about it. Like I said, for the most part, I understand what happened, know what happened, I don’t need to see it again,” he said.
After the altercation, Poirier posted on Instagram:
I’m at the point where I need some help, walking away from fighting hasn’t been easy on me and alcohol isn’t the answer. It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine, my family deserve me at 100%. I’m trying to do everything I can to get my mind right and take the right next steps.
Poirier is facing up to one year in jail or up to $1,000 in fines, or both, for his actions.
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