Strickland apologizes to Poirier after mocking his depression confession

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland lashed out at Dustin Poirier after the retired fighter opened up about his struggles with alcoholism and depression — only to ultimately reverse course and apologize.

Poirier built a 28-year combat sports career that included a run as interim lightweight champion before retiring last year. He made headlines recently when police arrested him after he drunkenly caused a disturbance. The footage shocked many fans, who remembered him as a steady, well-regarded figure in the sport known by the nickname "The Diamond."

Poirier appeared on a podcast recently and confessed that he had been struggling with mental health issues and alcohol since retiring, acknowledging that his behavior was his own fault.

"Depression has visited me throughout my career. When it comes, it hits really hard — and that day was no different," he said. "It felt like everything had its own gravity, pulling me in a negative direction no matter what I did."

He added: "It's like there's a dark cloud hanging over your head and you can't get out from under it. If you haven't been through it, it's hard to explain. And when those moments come, they're really serious."

Strickland, however, responded with a sharp rebuke. "What do you mean you're depressed? You're rich and loved by thousands of people," he said, dismissing the incident as Poirier simply getting thrown off a plane and picking a fight with police.

Strickland also revealed a broader prejudice against depression. "I don't understand depression. There are children out there receiving chemotherapy for cancer, praying for just one more day. And then a wealthy adult looks in the mirror and says, 'I'm depressed,'" he said. "Tell me why you're sad, rich man."

After reflecting further and speaking directly with Poirier, Strickland changed his position.

"I talked to Dustin, and he was genuinely hurting over what he had done," Strickland said. "Honestly, at first I thought it was just image management. But not everyone is as terrible a person as I am."

He then apologized. "So I acknowledge my mistake. Dustin, I'm sorry. He's someone who needs help," Strickland said.