Dustin Poirier has said he is “at the point where I need some help” after being arrested for alleged public drunkenness.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old, who retired from MMA last year following a distinguished 16-year career, was apprehended by police in Atlanta, Georgia earlier this week before being released on bail.<\/p>\n
In body camera footage of the arrest released by police, an agitated Poirier can be seen threatening an officer at an airport after alleging he was thrown off a flight.<\/p>\n
As the officer tries to calm Poirier down, the American says “I’ll fight you right now” along with a number of expletives, before asking “are you going to tase me?” as the officer removes his taser.<\/p>\n
Poirier later calms down as another officer arrives to arrest him, before fist bumping the official who filmed the exchange, adding: “You did a great job, you did what you could.”<\/p>\n
In a statement on Instagram, Poirier said he is seeking help after finding life difficult following his retirement from UFC. <\/p>\n
“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,” Poirier wrote.<\/p>\n
“It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine, my family deserve me at 100%. I’m trying to do everything I can to get my mind right and take the right next steps.”<\/p>\n
In Georgia, public drunkenness is a misdemeanor that carries punishments of up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 (\u00a3757) in fines, or both.<\/p>\n
A former UFC interim lightweight champion, he left the sport last year as one of the most respected athletes to step inside the octagon.<\/p>\n
After making his UFC debut in 2011, Poirier won 22 of 32 fights in the organisation and retired as arguably the best fighter to never win an undisputed title.<\/p>\n