“I started doing therapy,” Dustin Poirier opens up about ‘very bad’ mental struggles after getting knocked out by Justin Gaethje

Dustin Poirier speaks about the mental difficulties he faced after his loss to Justin Gaethje.

“I started doing therapy,” Dustin Poirier opens up about ‘very bad’ mental struggles after getting knocked out by Justin Gaethje

Dustin Poirier reveals going through mental struggles after losing to Justin Gaethje (via Imago/X)

Dustin Poirier recently knocked out the surging contender Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 to return to winning ways. He came into the fight after suffering a brutal knockout to Justin Gaethje. This loss broke his championship dreams. Although he didn’t speak a lot about it, Poirier now revealed struggling with mental health after that loss.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helawani, Dustin Poirier opened up about his mental problems. He stated he went through a tough phase after losing to Gaethje. It went to a point where it affected his well-being and he even considered retirement. Therefore, he sought out help and went to therapy. The Louisiana native also practiced mindfulness to return to a good frame of mind. Poirier also unveiled the difficulty fighters face trying to project the ‘tough guy’ persona.

After the Gaethje fight man, I went through some real mental struggles. I was going through some stuff. That's when I really started practicing mindfulness and setting my intentions. (It was) very bad. Worse. I started actually doing therapy after the fight. I think its important to open up and talk about it how you feel. We're in the spotlight of being the tough guys all the time but we're people too. Life is deep man.
Dustin Poirier (via The MMA Hour)
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Further, Dustin Poirier gave props to Alexander Volkanovski for opening up about the mental struggles he faced. In fact, he related a lot to the former featherweight champion and it led him to openly discuss his own problems. Also, Sean Strickland broke down speaking about his troubled childhood earlier this year. All these instances only proved fighters fought mental battles and were just human.

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Despite going through a tough phase, Dustin Poirier came back at UFC 299 and secured a spectacular knockout victory. With this win, Poirier not only bounced back from his loss to Justin Gaethje but proved he still belonged at the top of the lightweight division. Also, he inserted his name right back into title contention and revived his dreams of attaining undisputed gold.

Dustin Poirier speaks about his chances of fighting Islam Makhachev

The lightweight division had two contenders fighting for the title challenger spot – Justin Gathje and Charles Oliveira. Both of them solidified their names and the UFC even booked ‘Do Bronx’ to face the champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. But, he pulled out after suffering an injury. Considering Makhachev won’t fight during Ramadan, the UFC booked Gaethje and Oliveira for UFC 300.

However, they won’t be facing each other. Gaethje will take on Max Holloway for the BMF title, whereas Oliveira faces rising contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Now, with the champion showing interest in fighting soon, Dustin Poirier was the name on top.

Dustin Poirier makes his claim to fight for the lightweight title next after win at UFC 299
Dustin Poirier makes his claim to fight for the lightweight title next after winning at UFC 299 (via MMA News/Siasat)

After the win at UFC 299, Dustin Poirier called out Makhachev in an interview and stated he was open to fighting him in June. He believed earning a big win like he did at UFC 299 certainly put him in the mix of a title shot. He also believed he deserved it given his long career in the UFC and the accolades he has earned.

I haven't spoke to the UFC but I do think (fighting Islam Makhachev) could happen. I really believed that I was one big win away, one good finish (from a title shot). Just with my career and how many fights I've had with the UFC and how many times I've beaten the top guys and stuff like that.
Dustin Poireir (via The MMA Hour)

The lightweight champion also heard the callout and agreed to fight Dustin Poirier in June. This was such a turn of events as Poirier wasn’t in the title picture before UFC 299, considering Gatheje and Oliveira had already earned the spot. However, since the UFC hasn’t commented about it, nothing can be said for sure. Also, Oliveira’s and Gaethje’s fights at UFC 300 would decide the fate of the next lightweight title challenger.

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