Jon Jones has publicly thrown his support behind Dustin Poirier after the retired UFC lightweight was arrested in an airport for public drunkenness and caught on camera.
Footage showed Poirier verbally abusing airport staff and security, and Jones responded on social media with a message aimed at lifting the former interim champion’s spirits.
"Wanted to write and tell my n--a Justin Poirier to keep your head up," Jones wrote, adding, "Life happens. This too shall pass. Just keep yourself busy my man, it helps."
Jones’ reaction comes against the backdrop of his own history with alcohol-related incidents caught on bodycam. Following a 2021 arrest on suspicion of battering his fiance, Jones said, "I have way too much trauma to consume alcohol, my brain simply can’t handle it anymore," and, "I will leave alcohol in my past forever. Turn this nightmare into the best thing to ever happen in my life."
Jones also weighed in on Poirier’s mental state and the challenges of stepping away from the sport. "I do respect the fact that he’s being honest about his mental state," Jones said. "I swear in some weird way retiring from the UFC almost feels like retiring from the military or something. There’s so many similarities. I have conversations with my special forces buddies about this type of stuff all the time, it’s a huge change or at least it can be."
Away from the situation, Jones noted he has been heavily involved in Gable Steveson’s current training camp, saying, "Right now we are finishing up Gable [Steveson]‘s training camp. He’s looking extraordinary. I’ve been his main training partner, and I’m moving like I never left. Stem cells must be working."
