Former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier gave an exclusive interview. Bloody Elbow And “Diamonds” touched upon many typical and controversial subjects.
Mental toughness, courage and determination were all qualities that Poirier displayed when he rallied to defeat Michael Chandler at UFC 281 last November. If you go back and watch the end of the match, you can see Dustin approach Michael (after strangling him) and confess that he was actually “scary” to fight him. , Poirier talked about the fear he brings into the match and explained how it makes him better.
Poirier was also asked to talk about his mental toughness and gave me some techniques he uses to keep his mind sharp. Towards the end of the interview, Poirier considers his New Year’s resolutions, although he usually I claim not to participate in such activities.
Eddie Mercado: I’m glad you respectfully told Chandler after the game that you were afraid to fight him. I thought it was cool. I’ve never seen guys openly admit it.
Dustin Poirier: I wear it on my sleeve. I’m not trying, you know.I’m Zuffa and he’s fought 30 times. People know I’m tough, and I get depressed, and I love to fight—but I’m not nervous, you could say. ” appears, but that is just an unknown. No matter how prepared you are to go there, anything can happen. that scares me. This is especially true for people who are explosive and powerful. Anything can happen there and the unknown scares me. Especially for someone like the one I just mentioned. I am not ashamed to admit it. That’s what motivates me, that’s what motivates me, that’s what makes me bust my ass.
EM: I would like to ask you a few questions about mental health. Fight life life is not easy. You have to isolate yourself and make many sacrifices. What are some techniques you use to keep your mental health as strong as possible?
DP: I practice gratitude. I write down things I am grateful for each day, but I have a lot to list. I have come a long way in my life. i took my family there. I am giving back to the community where I come from and am in a good position to do all of this.My family is healthy, my little daughter is in first grade and is reading. I am grateful for all that I have done and strived for.
I think it’s a powerful thing to live life that way, but sometimes I walk away from it. Sometimes it goes away, but I feel like I have to put it back together. When I am in a certain mood, I need to go back in the morning and write my gratitude. It’s like taking a moment and checking yourself.
Especially with all the social media topics and all the negativity floating around. It’s so easy to fall into that mental trap. Just trying to stay around positive people. That’s my New Year’s resolution, and I never make any new year’s resolutions. Don’t let people flow what I can’t control. Don’t overstretch yourself. Please focus more on me and my family. That’s what I want to do this year.
Poirier was an athlete who had to fight for the top, and once he got there, he used the spotlight to build his own brand. Drawing on some of the traits that made him successful as a fighter (mental toughness, courage, determination, etc.), Dustin was successful in his arena in Poirier’s Louisiana Hot Sauce and Good He. It does philanthropic work through its Fight Foundation and has a sponsorship deal with Timex Watches.
About the author: Eddie Mercado has been covering combat sports since 2015. We cover everything from betting his odds to live his events and fighter interviews. He has a record of 1-0 in professional MMA and holds a purple belt in jiu-jitsu. (full bio)
