In the event you weren’t in Dustin Poirier’s internal circle, you’d by no means know his triumphant knockout victory at UFC 299 was the end result of one thing a lot greater than only a combat camp.
On Monday’s version of The MMA Hour, Poirier stated his knockout loss eight months earlier to Justin Gaethje despatched him to a spot of “darkness” that had him anxious for his personal well-being.
“I began truly doing remedy after the [Gaethe] combat,” Poirier stated.
Poirier stated he associated strongly to the struggles of former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who teared up describing the restlessness and psychological pressure that prompted him to take a short-notice rematch with light-weight champ Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski misplaced the combat by vicious head-kick knockout.
The identical strike felled Poirier in his rematch with Gaethje and prompted a journey inward that led to some important life-style adjustments, not the least of which was seeing a psychological well being skilled.
“Lots of people helped me,” Poirier stated. “My pals, my enterprise companions right here in Louisiana, however my spouse, actually, dude, I’m simply very grateful for her. It received to the purpose the place, and if I used to be in her, if I used to be in her place, I don’t know if I might take the stuff she’s taken. I want to assume I can, however I’m simply grateful to have any individual like that [to see the things I’ve gone through], and the issues I’ve put her by means of going by means of it.”
Poirer and his spouse, Jolie, have been highschool sweethearts who married and raised a household as he turned an expert MMA fighter. The 2 now run Poirier’s nonprofit, The Good Struggle Basis, along with different initiatives.
Poirier stated the loss to Gaethje induced an id disaster the place he questioned whether or not he would proceed combating. He stated going to remedy helped him reframe the way in which he checked out himself as a fighter and an individual outdoors of his job.
“As a result of combating was all the pieces to me,” he stated. “It was my complete life. Like I judged who I used to be however by combating. It was the particular person I’m. If I’m not the fighter Dustin, the fighter who am I? And I simply type of like tried to take a step again from that after the Gaethje loss once I was going by means of all this s***. And prefer it’s simply one thing I do. Preventing is a part of my life. It’s been a automobile to get me and my household the place I must be to arrange the inspiration and assist folks. It’s been a automobile to get issues in the suitable place. However that is simply one thing I do. Life goes on.”
Coaching for the Saint Denis combat, Poirier lower down on the media he consumed in his off hours, went for morning walks to clear his head, and even stopped responding to sure members of the family as he received nearer to UFC 299. All of it was to assist keep within the current and observe a way of gratitude for his life.
“Perhaps I’m getting previous, possibly I’m being an previous man,” he stated. “I’m simply making an attempt to, like, expertise issues differently, as a result of I’m so blessed, simply to be on this mindset.
“I’m simply actually grateful for the expertise of life, offering for my household, each day, get up, stroll half-hour in my very own ideas, get away from electronics and simply give gratitude, as a result of what a journey, what a journey, man.”
Poirier looks like he emerged from that darkish place and is now far more optimistic in regards to the future, nonetheless lengthy he has remaining within the sport. He known as for a title shot towards present champ Islam Makhachev in June, a chance he believes is justified given his current win and his total resume.
Down the highway, Poirier plans to maintain a therapist in his nook so all the pieces stays in the suitable perspective.
“I feel it’s essential to love open up and discuss how you are feeling,” he stated. “, we’re such within the highlight of being powerful guys on a regular basis, however we’re folks too. That’s the a part of the mindset, like, Dustin the fighter. However what about, what about Dustin? What about me? … So it’s good to faucet in with your self, and examine in on your self, and be good to your self.”
