'It could've been so much worse' - Dustin Poirier reveals what really led to airport arrest in candid interview

Dustin Poirier has suggested he is unlikely to ever fight in the UFC again following his arrest last month.

The UFC legend made headlines for all the wrong reasons after he was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia and charged with public intoxication. The incident reportedly unfolded after he threatened to fight a police officer, and he is currently out on bail while awaiting a court date.

The 37-year-old's arrest came almost a year after he retired from professional MMA following his defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 318 in his home state of Louisiana.

Although Poirier returned to training earlier this year and hinted at a possible comeback, he has now played down any prospect of fighting again.

'The Diamond', who has spoken openly about his struggles with depression and mental health, admitted there is only a slim chance of returning to the Octagon.

Asked about a potential comeback on The Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: "Five per cent. Because I would have to, first of all, get my wife on board.

"But I'd have to reinstate myself in the drug testing protocol, do six months of clean drug testing before I'm eligible to compete again. So that would be another six months — it's just a lot of hoops to jump through."

Poirier also reflected on the airport incident, revealing that Father's Day had left him thinking about his own father, whose long-term struggles with alcoholism have had a profound impact on their relationship.

“He’s ruined his marriages, he’s ruined his relationships. He’s ruined his friendships, he’s ruined his relationships with his family, with his kids. He’s been in jail plenty of times for alcohol-related stuff. If I can paint a picture of a classic drunk or alcoholic, very selfish and continues to go back to it — he’s actually homeless right now,” Poirier said.

“Part of that, me getting in trouble at the airport, was I just felt, and it’s not my weight to carry, but I try to help him out and he’s back out on the street. He almost doesn’t want help. And on Father’s Day, I was traveling to work, and I couldn’t stop thinking about my father, and I started drinking at the airport, and that’s what led to the incident.”

Recalling the events of the day, Poirier explained how what began as a couple of drinks escalated during a layover in Atlanta.

“On my flight from Lafayette, Louisiana, I drank two glasses of champagne, nothing crazy...

"I landed in Atlanta, had a little bit of a layover, went to a restaurant bar, started drinking champagne; some guys came in, took some shots, and one thing led to another.

"I go to my gate, get into it with the desk agent, and they call security and the police."

Poirier also admitted some parts of the incident remain a blur to him.

"I never got on the plane, I don’t believe. I’m pretty sure. [I'm] 90 per cent sure I never got on the plane, and it might have been that.

"The desk agent might’ve seen I was intoxicated and said, 'You can’t get on this plane,' and that might’ve started it, I don’t know.

“But I do want to apologise to those desk agents, whoever they are, and police officers. It could’ve been so much worse. I just want to thank them. I didn’t get to do that.”