UFC Legend Dustin Poirier Opens Up on Losing Six-Figure Bud Light Sponsorship After Arrest Incident

Dustin Poirier‘s life outside the UFC has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The Louisiana native was recently arrested at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on a public drunkenness charge before discussing his struggles with depression and mental health. He has now revealed another setback after confirming Bud Light terminated its sponsorship contract following the incident.

Poirier signed his partnership with Bud Light in March 2024 after his knockout victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. The agreement made him the brand’s exclusive UFC athlete partner, including commercial appearances, promotional campaigns, and marketing activities outside his fighting career.

Following his retirement, Poirier opened up about his struggles with alcoholism and its impact on his life. After being released on bond, the Louisiana native revealed changes in his personal and professional life. He also confirmed Bud Light immediately cut ties with him and terminated his contract after the incident.

They terminated my contract immediately. It’s all good. I don’t need that poison in my life. It sucks that my family loses out on the money I had left on the deal with them, which is a few hundred thousand dollars. But also, 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.  If you can drink responsibly, have fun, drink a Bud Light, drink whatever the hell you want. Be responsible, have a good time. I’m not that person.

Dustin Poirier via The Ariel Helwani Show

Poirier lost his deal with Bud Light after his recent arrest, but now he sees the positive side of that repercussion. #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/gWj8Riz9Yd

— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) July 21, 2026

Poirier has also spoken about his struggles with alcoholism and depression following his retirement from MMA. The retired UFC superstar revealed that his father’s ongoing problems have had a major impact on him. Poirier stated that his father is currently homeless, while also struggling to properly take care of his health and personal well-being.

Bud Light and the UFC first partnered in 2008, becoming the promotion’s original official beer sponsor. The relationship ended in 2017, with Modelo replacing Bud Light as the UFC’s official beer partner. However, the two sides reunited in 2024 through a multi-year deal, making Bud Light the UFC’s official beer partner in the US.

The UFC’s renewed partnership with Bud Light in 2024 faced controversy after backlash over the brand’s partnership with influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The deal was reportedly worth over $100 million, making it one of the UFC’s largest sponsorship agreements. Some users on social media called for UFC boycotts due to Bud Light’s partnership with Mulvaney.

Despite losing his Bud Light sponsorship, Poirier still owns business ventures outside the UFC. The Louisiana native launched Poirier’s Louisiana Style Hot Sauce, a brand inspired by his Cajun roots. He has also expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio through his own bourbon brand, Rare Stash, launched in 2022.

Despite his recent arrest and personal struggles, Dustin Poirier’s charity work remains a major part of his public image. Through The Good Fight Foundation with his wife Jolie Poirier, ‘The Diamond’ has supported communities through donations and assistance programs. His continued efforts have helped renew his image beyond his UFC career.

Dustin Poirier reveals how UFC top brass reached out to him after recent controversy

Dustin Poirier’s arrest at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport gained major attention after TMZ released body camera footage from the incident. The video showed Poirier arguing with airport staff after being removed from a flight before confronting an officer who arrived at the scene.

Poirier’s arrest reignited his rivalry with Colby Covington, who targeted the former interim champion after the incident. Covington criticized Poirier’s public image and legacy following the arrest, adding more attention to their long-running rivalry. The two fighters have previously shared tensions dating back to their time together at American Top Team.

While Poirier’s arrest received widespread attention, responses surrounding the incident varied across the MMA community. Poirier later revealed that the UFC was among the first organizations to contact him after the arrest. He confirmed UFC CBO Hunter Campbell reached out and reassured him during the difficult situation.

Literally one day after the arrest and all of that happened, Hunter Campbell with the UFC reached out to me and asked me what he can do, that the UFC’s got my back, anything they can do, anything I need help with, let them know and they’re all in. So, no, the UFC, the company, immediately reached out to me and had my back.

Dustin Poirier via The Ariel Helwani Show

Dustin Poirier says Hunter Campbell reached out to him a day after his arrest and asked him what he could do and told him that the UFC has got his back.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/vH2oRE4QYE

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 21, 2026

Dustin Poirier’s situation drew further attention after he revealed his ongoing battle with depression and personal struggles. Several ex-UFC fighters, including Matt Brown and Frankie Edgar, showed support for the Louisiana native during the difficult period. Their support highlighted the respect the future UFC Hall of Famer has earned throughout his MMA career.

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