Set to make his thirtieth stroll to the Octagon on June 1, few fighters boast the form of resume that Dustin Poirier has amassed after greater than twenty years within the sport.
He’ll try to “end his story” when he headlines UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey as he steps into the principle occasion highlight for a lightweight world title clash with reigning and defending champion Islam Makhachev.
Win or lose, this might very properly be Poirier’s final stand after spending years sacrificing not simply his physique, however his thoughts.
Throughout an look on The Fight Bananas Show, ‘The Diamond’ shared some perception into the psychological challenges he’s confronted since his brutal second-round knockout by the hands of Justin Gaethje final 12 months.
“To begin with, head trauma just isn’t good for you – that’s an enormous a part of it,” mentioned the fan-favorite light-weight, explaining how individuals are fast to overlook about career-defining achievements when you undergo a defeat within the UFC Octagon.
“I’ve given this sport a lot, not solely bodily however with my time and focus. Being a fighter, it’s important to give attention to you [but] I wish to be with my household, give attention to my daughter, my spouse, my basis, my companies… Quite a lot of stuff will get placed on maintain to chase desires.”
“Placing a lot right into a outcome or end result after which your life’s form of revolving round that night time – it seems like every part you’ve performed in your complete profession; folks take a look at you on that single night time efficiency and overlook about every part else, all of the mountains you’ve already climbed” (h/t Bloody Elbow).
Dustin Poirier is mentally ready for no matter occurs at UFC 303
Poirier went on so as to add that whereas blended martial arts is an undeniably bodily sport, there’s a sturdy psychological well being facet of it that always will get neglected by followers and pundits.
“We focus a lot on the bodily a part of this [sport] however combating is so psychological [and] combating is only a portion of our life — we have now a complete different life after combating and out of doors of combating. I used to be simply down on myself, however specializing in my mindset, speaking to folks, having my spouse by my facet, having good pals again house, I went to counseling weekly.”
Already feeling like a a lot totally different individual following his sequel scrap with Gaethje, Poirier hopes that he can implement a number of the classes he’s discovered when he steps into the cage with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ subsequent month.
“Even coming into this battle right here on June 1, I’m making an attempt to not put a lot — in fact, I wish to be world champion, however nothing is assured…I do really feel actually that I’m going to be world champion in a month [and] phrases turn into issues. However I’ve to be content material with no matter occurs as a result of that’s simply how life goes.”
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