Dustin Poirier Breaks Silence After Arrest: 'I'm Not Looking for Sympathy'

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has spoken publicly for the first time since his recent arrest, making it clear that he accepts full responsibility for his actions and isn't seeking anyone's sympathy.

Poirier was arrested two weeks ago by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office in Georgia on a charge of public intoxication. Following the incident, former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones publicly defended "The Diamond," urging fans not to judge him too harshly.

"He didn't hurt anybody. He was drunk. We've all been drunk. Alcohol makes you do silly things. The important thing is to forgive yourself and move forward. At the end of the day, no one really cares," Jones said.

Although Poirier appreciated the support, he insists he doesn't want people to excuse what happened.

Speaking on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, the 36-year-old revealed that he had stayed away from social media since the arrest and only learned about Jones' comments through a close friend.

"My friend Kyle told me Jon Jones said some really positive things. He also mentioned that Matt Brown made a supportive video. I'm sure I'll eventually see those messages, but right now I don't want to relive everything or keep going back to that moment," Poirier explained.

The former title challenger emphasized that he refuses to portray himself as a victim.

"I appreciate everyone's support, but I'm not looking for sympathy, and I'm not trying to make what happened seem acceptable. It wasn't OK. I don't want to blame anything or use excuses for my behavior. I made the decision to drink that day when I wasn't in a good place. That's on me."

Poirier also dismissed the idea of using mental health as a justification, despite admitting that he is now paying closer attention to that aspect of his life.

Jones' words carry additional weight given his own history of legal troubles. Throughout his career, the former UFC champion has faced multiple run-ins with the law, including a DUI-related case in 2020 and more recent allegations connected to a traffic incident in 2025. Those latest charges were ultimately dismissed.

By taking full accountability instead of seeking excuses, Poirier says his focus is now on learning from the mistake and moving forward.