Dustin Poirier Explains His Use Of The N-Word During Airport Incident
Last month, UFC legend Dustin Poirier was arrested after threatening to fight a (terrified) police officer at an airport. Here’s a reminder:
Dustin Poirier got kicked off his flight and tried to fight a cop before getting arrested pic.twitter.com/PL9ydmhjN5
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 23, 2026
At one point, Poirier warns the cop: “it’s gonna be bad, my n***a”, and some people made an issue out of it given Poirier is white and all.
Well, Poirier has now explained to Ariel Helwani (who else?) that his use of the N-word was merely a drunken, subconscious regression to where he grew up:
Ariel Helwani asked Dustin Poirier about his use of the 'N Word' during the airport incident:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 21, 2026
"Growing up where I grew up, speaking like that was a normal thing. I don't talk like that, but in the moment, drunk, I go back to those dark times.
I apologize. I shouldn't have said… https://t.co/I26NhpvyKC pic.twitter.com/HrCoENA7Np
He says: “Growing up where I grew up, speaking like that was a normal thing. I don’t talk like that, but in the moment, drunk, I go back to those dark times.
“I apologise. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I didn’t mean it in a racist way at all, but that doesn’t matter. That’s not something that should be said ever.”
I think that’s fair enough really. I mean, did anyone out there really have a problem with it? If anyone’s getting an N-word pass, it’s a drunken Dustin Poirier in fight mode, surely.
Poirier also revealed that Bud Light cancelled his six-figure brand ambassador contract after the incident: “It’s all good, I don’t need that f*cking poison in my life. It sucks that my family loses out on the money which was a few hundred thousand dollars.”
Not sure that was the smartest move on Bud Light’s part, to be honest. Most people still think Dustin Poirier is a total legend, perhaps even more so? Besides, he immediately came out and addressed the incident after it happened and said he was getting the help he needs. Although if that means quitting drink, then maybe he’s not the best person to be the face of an alcoholic beer brand.
For the insane no-rules 8v2 MMA fight that ended in less than 30 seconds, click HERE.