Dustin Poirier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dustin Poirier
Poirier in 2011
Born	Dustin Glenn Poirier (1989-01-19) January 19, 1989 (age 36) Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
Nickname(s)	The Diamond
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	155 lb (70 kg)
Division	Lightweight (2009–2010, 2015–present) Featherweight (2011–2014)
Reach	72 in (183 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
Team	Gladiators Academy (until 2012) American Top Team (2012–present)
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Tim Credeur
Years active	2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	40
Wins	30
By knockout	15
By submission	8
By decision	7
Losses	9
By knockout	3
By submission	4
By decision	2
No contests	1
Other information
Spouse	Jolie LeBlanc ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	1

Dustin Glenn Poirier (born January 19, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He is a famous fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Dustin competes in the Lightweight division. He even held the title of Interim UFC Lightweight Champion once. Dustin has also fought for the main UFC Lightweight Championship three times. As of April 2024, he is one of the top lightweight fighters in the UFC.

Early Life and School

Dustin Poirier was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. His family has Acadian French roots, also known as Cajun heritage. He went to Northside High School for a short time. Dustin left school in the ninth grade. This was because he often got into trouble and street fights.

Dustin's Fighting Career

Starting Out in MMA (2009)

Dustin Poirier became a professional fighter in 2009. He quickly built a strong record of 7 wins and 0 losses. Most of these early fights were in his home state of Louisiana. They also took place in the Southern United States. A documentary called Fightville shows parts of his early career.

World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC)

Dustin had his first fight in the WEC on August 18, 2010. He lost this fight to Danny Castillo. Later that year, on November 11, 2010, Dustin won his next WEC fight. He defeated Zach Micklewright by TKO in the first round.

Joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

In October 2010, the WEC joined with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. All WEC fighters, including Dustin, moved to the UFC.

First UFC Fights (2010-2011)

Dustin's first UFC fight was on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125. He stepped in to fight Josh Grispi when another fighter got hurt. Dustin won this fight by a unanimous decision. This was his first fight in the Featherweight division.

On June 11, 2011, Dustin was set to fight Rani Yahya. But Yahya got injured and was replaced by Jason Young. Dustin won against Young by unanimous decision. Later that year, on November 12, 2011, Dustin fought Pablo Garza. He won by submission in the second round.

Big Fights and Bonuses (2012)

Dustin was supposed to fight Erik Koch in February 2012. But Koch got hurt, and then his replacement, Ricardo Lamas, also got injured. Finally, Max Holloway stepped in to fight Dustin. Dustin won in the first round with a special move called a triangle-armbar. This win earned him a "Submission of the Night" bonus.

On May 15, 2012, Dustin fought Chan Sung Jung, also known as "The Korean Zombie." This was Dustin's first main event fight. Jung won by submission in the fourth round. Both fighters earned "Fight of the Night" honors. Many people called this fight the "Fight of the Year" for 2012.

Dustin then defeated Jonathan Brookins on December 15, 2012. He won by submission.

Tough Challenges (2013-2014)

Dustin quickly fought again in February 2013, replacing an injured fighter. He faced Cub Swanson and lost by unanimous decision.

On August 31, 2013, Dustin fought Erik Koch again. He won this fight by unanimous decision. Dustin wanted a rematch with Cub Swanson after this win.

Dustin faced Diego Brandão on December 28, 2013. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

In 2014, Dustin fought Akira Corassani. He won by TKO in the second round. This fight also earned him a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

Dustin then fought Conor McGregor on September 27, 2014. He lost this fight by TKO in the first round. This was the first time Dustin had been stopped by strikes. After this loss, Dustin decided to move up to the Lightweight division. He said that cutting weight for featherweight was too distracting. He also said he would win a belt in the lightweight division.

Lightweight Success (2015-2016)

Dustin's first lightweight fight was on April 4, 2015. He faced Carlos Diego Ferreira and won by knockout in the first round. This win earned him his first "Performance of the Night" bonus.

On June 6, 2015, Dustin fought Yancy Medeiros. He won by TKO in the first round. This earned him another "Performance of the Night" bonus.

Dustin was set to fight Joseph Duffy in October 2015, but Duffy got a concussion. The fight was moved to January 2, 2016. Dustin won by unanimous decision. He broke his nose in this fight and had to rest for six weeks.

Dustin next fought Bobby Green on June 4, 2016. He won by knockout in the first round.

On September 17, 2016, Dustin fought Michael Johnson. Dustin lost this fight by knockout in the first round.

Big Wins and No Contests (2017)

On February 11, 2017, Dustin fought Jim Miller. Dustin won this tough fight by a majority decision. He earned another "Fight of the Night" bonus. He was suspended for a while due to injuries from the fight.

After his break, Dustin fought Eddie Alvarez on May 13, 2017. Dustin was doing well, but Alvarez landed two illegal knee strikes. The referee stopped the fight and declared it a "No Contest." This means the fight didn't count as a win or loss for either fighter.

Dustin faced Anthony Pettis on November 11, 2017. He won by TKO in the third round when Pettis had to stop due to a broken rib. This fight also won him a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

More Wins and Injuries (2018)

After the Pettis fight, Dustin signed a new contract with the UFC. He fought Justin Gaethje on April 14, 2018. Dustin won by TKO in the fourth round. This fight earned him another "Fight of the Night" bonus.

Dustin had a rematch with Eddie Alvarez on July 28, 2018. He won by TKO in the second round. This win earned him a "Performance of the Night" award.

Dustin was supposed to fight Nate Diaz in November 2018. But Dustin had to pull out because of a hip injury, and the fight was canceled.

Interim Champion (2019)

Dustin faced UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship on April 13, 2019. He won this exciting fight by unanimous decision. This win made him the interim champion and ended Holloway's long winning streak. This fight earned him another "Fight of the Night" award.

Dustin then fought the undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov on September 7, 2019. This fight was to decide the undisputed champion. Dustin lost by submission in the third round.

Recent Fights (2020-2024)

On June 27, 2020, Dustin faced Dan Hooker. He won this thrilling fight by unanimous decision. Many people called this one of the best fights of the year. It earned him his seventh "Fight of the Night" award.

Dustin had a rematch with Conor McGregor on January 24, 2021. He won by technical knockout in the second round. This made him the first person to defeat McGregor by knockout. This win earned him a "Performance of the Night" award.

Dustin fought McGregor for a third time on July 10, 2021. Dustin won in the first round. The fight was stopped because McGregor broke his leg and could not continue.

On December 11, 2021, Dustin fought Charles Oliveira for the UFC Lightweight Championship. He lost by submission in the third round.

Dustin faced Michael Chandler on November 12, 2022. He won by submission in the third round. This fight earned him a "Fight of the Night" award.

In 2023, Dustin fought Justin Gaethje again. He lost this fight by knockout in the second round.

On March 9, 2024, Dustin fought Benoît Saint Denis. He won by knockout in the second round, earning another "Fight of the Night" award.

Dustin then challenged Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship on June 1, 2024. He lost by submission in the fifth round. This fight also earned him a "Fight of the Night" award.

Training and Fighting Style

Dustin used to train at Gladiators Academy. After a tough loss, he moved to American Top Team. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is a martial art focused on grappling and ground fighting. However, Dustin is also known for his amazing boxing skills. He has won many fights by striking. His boxing has helped him beat top fighters like Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, Dan Hooker, Max Holloway, and Conor McGregor. He is known for his changing punching style and using a special defense move called the shoulder roll.

Helping Others: Charity Work

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Mosley arm wrestles with Poirier aboard USS George Washington.

Dustin uses his fame to help others. He has auctioned off his fight gear to raise money for good causes. For example, he sold his gear from a UFC fight to help a food bank.

In April 2018, Dustin and his wife started their own charity called the Good Fight Foundation. They have raised money for families of police officers and for community centers. Dustin also auctioned off his fight kit to buy 500 backpacks for school children in his hometown.

After his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, they swapped shirts. Khabib said he would sell Dustin's shirt and give the money to Dustin's charity. Dustin also auctioned his own fight gear. Together, they raised a lot of money for the Good Fight Foundation. This money is helping provide clean drinking water to people in Uganda.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dustin's foundation gave 1,000 meals to hospital workers in his hometown. In 2020, the UFC gave Dustin the Forrest Griffin Community Award for his charity work.

In 2021, the mayor of Lafayette, Louisiana, declared March 15 as "Dustin Poirier Day." He also gave Dustin a key to the city.

After a fight in 2021, Dustin promised $20,000 to a charity chosen by his opponent, Charles Oliveira. The money went to a group that teaches martial arts to kids in Brazil for free.

In July 2023, Dustin spent a day with a 17-year-old cancer patient through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Dustin's Businesses

Poirier's Louisiana Style Hot Sauce

In December 2020, Dustin launched his own Cajun hot sauce brand. It's called 'Poirier's Louisiana Style'. He worked with a Canadian company to create it.

Rare Stash Bourbon

In January 2022, Dustin announced his own bourbon brand called 'Rare Stash'.

Personal Life

Dustin spends most of his time in Lafayette, Louisiana, with his wife, Jolie LeBlanc, and their daughter. However, he trains at American Top Team in South Florida before his fights. His daughter was born in 2016.

Dustin got his first tattoo when he was 14. His chest and arms are now covered in tattoos. One tattoo on his chest says 武士道 (bushidō). This Japanese word means "the way of warriors."

Dustin in Movies and Games

Movies

Video Games

Awards and Achievements

Dustin Poirier has earned many awards and achievements in his career:

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Interim UFC Lightweight Championship (One time)
  • Fight of the Night (Ten times) - This means his fights were very exciting! He is tied for the most "Fight of the Night" bonuses in UFC history.
  • Submission of the Night (One time)
  • Performance of the Night (Four times)
  • He is tied for the fourth most post-fight bonuses in UFC history (15).
  • He has the most knockouts in UFC Lightweight division history (9).
  • He is tied for the fifth most wins in UFC history (22).
  • He has the fourth most finishes (wins by knockout or submission) in UFC history (15).
  • He holds wins over five former UFC Champions.
  • He is the only fighter to win an interim UFC belt by beating a current undisputed UFC Champion.
  • 2020 Forrest Griffin Community Award - This award is for his amazing charity work.

Dustin's Fight Record

Dustin Poirier has a professional mixed martial arts record of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 1 no contest.

Pay-Per-View Events

Dustin Poirier has been a part of many big pay-per-view events, showing his popularity:

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists