Dustin Poirier on Identity Loss, Addiction, and Life Post-Fighting

Poirier describes retirement as the loss of the identity and daily purpose that had organized his life for two decades.

He says fighting and training gave him a productive outlet that quieted mental noise, and ordinary workouts no longer provide the same sense of direction.

Poirier takes responsibility for the airport incident and says thoughts about his homeless father and his own depression provide context but do not excuse his behavior.