It’s a challenge to find the right partner, especially when you’re a mixed martial artist aiming for the top. Dustin Poirier, former interim UFC lightweight champion, was fortunate to find his at the perfect time.
“When I was in juvenile detention, my wife Jolie wrote to me every week,” Poirier shared. “Besides my mother, her letters were the only ones I received. When I got out, she was there to pick me up. That’s when I knew I was going to marry her.”
“The Diamond” is planning one final UFC fight, hoping it will be in New Orleans this summer to conclude his career. His last fight was a Fight of the Year contender against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June, which he lost.
Poirier has experienced both the highs and lows of the sport and life. Like everyone, his self-belief fluctuates. However, even when he was in juvenile detention, Jolie believed in him when he couldn’t believe in himself.
“Her letters were constant,” Poirier explained. “She always replied, even though I don’t know how she got my address. She was always there for me. Honestly, I wouldn’t have achieved this much without her. I’ve been living with her since I was 18, an amateur fighter. She was my anchor, someone to come home to every night, to share meals, watch movies, and just have a normal life.”
“Having a loving and supportive partner, and a stable home life was crucial. Without it, especially at a young age with some recognition, I wouldn’t have had the discipline to train every day and maintain a schedule. I would have been distracted. Her belief in me was also incredibly important. Many times I doubted myself, but her unwavering faith made it hard for me to give up on my dreams because she always believed I could achieve anything.”
