Finding the right partner is a challenge, especially for athletes in demanding sports like mixed martial arts. Dustin Poirier, former interim UFC lightweight champion, considers himself fortunate to have found his wife, Jolie, at a crucial point in his life.
Poirier recounted how Jolie’s support began even during difficult times. “When I was in juvenile detention,” he shared on Outta Pocket with RGIII, “even if we weren’t officially dating, she wrote to me every week.” He emphasized the impact of her letters, noting, “Besides my mother, she was the only one writing. When I got out, she was there, drove all the way to see me leave. That’s when I knew I wanted to marry her.”
“The Diamond,” as he is known, is planning for one final fight in the UFC, ideally in New Orleans this summer, to conclude his career. His last fight was a hard-fought battle against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June, a bout considered a Fight of the Year contender.
Poirier has experienced both triumphs and setbacks throughout his career and personal life. Like anyone, his self-confidence fluctuates. However, even when he was struggling in juvenile detention, Jolie’s belief in him remained constant, even when he doubted himself.
“Her letters were a constant,” Poirier explained. “She always responded. I’m not even sure how she got my address, but she made it happen and was always there for me. Honestly, and I don’t want to sound cliché, but I don’t think I would have achieved this level of success without her. I’ve been 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, even simple things like going to Blockbuster back then or getting Chinese takeout on weekends.”
“I had a woman I loved, who loved me in return, and a stable home. If I were that age, experiencing the early recognition I had as a fighter, without her, I wouldn’t have maintained the discipline for daily gym training or a proper sleep schedule. I would have been out with friends, likely getting into trouble. Having her to come home to, a reason to be home, and above all, her unwavering belief in me – even when I doubted myself – made it impossible for me to give up when she was so confident in my potential.”
