Former UFC interim champion Dustin Poirier has confirmed his lucrative sponsorship deal with beer brand Bud Light was "terminated immediately" in the wake of his arrest for public drunkenness at an airport last month. The 37-year-old American, who retired from professional competition in July 2025, was arrested in June after an incident at Atlanta, Georgia airport, during which body-camera footage appeared to show him intoxicated and threatening an officer.
The footage, which subsequently circulated on social media, reportedly captured Poirier claiming he had been removed from a flight. He could be heard challenging the officer, saying, "I'll fight you right now," and asking, "Are you going to tase me?" While being handcuffed, Poirier also told the officer, "You did a great job, you did what you could." Following his release on bail, Poirier issued an apology for his behaviour and acknowledged a need for "help" with his relationship with alcohol.
Speaking to journalist Ariel Helwani, Poirier disclosed the immediate fallout from the incident. "[Bud Light] terminated my contract immediately," he stated, adding, "It's all good. I don't need that f***ing poison in my life." He expressed regret over the financial impact on his family, noting the lost income amounted to "a few hundred thousand dollars" from the remainder of the deal. Poirier also reflected on the integrity of endorsements, explaining, "if I'm representing something, if I'm advertising something that I'm not going to be taking part in, promoting stuff... it's just, it is what it is." He differentiated himself from those who drink responsibly, stating, "I'm not one."
Poirier's struggles with post-fighting life have been a recurring theme since he stepped away from the octagon following a loss to long-time rival Max Holloway. In an Instagram post after his arrest, he wrote, "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." He drew parallels to his father's life, vowing not to let alcohol ruin his own, for the sake of his family. He has previously spoken about the challenge of staying busy and finding purpose outside of training and competition, describing himself as a "danger" if he lacks something to work towards.
Despite his recent personal difficulties, Poirier remains a popular figure among UFC fans, celebrated for his exciting fighting style and his charitable efforts in his home state of Louisiana. He holds notable victories over several UFC champions, including Holloway, Justin Gaethje, and Eddie Alvarez, and is particularly remembered for his trilogy of fights with Conor McGregor. Since his retirement from active competition, Poirier has continued his involvement with the UFC in an analytical capacity.