Dustin Poirier isn’t simply known his in-cage abilities.
A former UFC lightweight title challenger, Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) has quickly become one of MMA’s most charitable fighters. Whether it’s donating resources, money, or time, Poirier has a long history of giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate than him.
Friday, one day before his UFC on ESPN 12 headliner against Dan Hooker, Poirier was presented the inaugural “Forrest Griffin Community Award.” The promotion announced the honor in a press release.
“Announced earlier this year, the Forrest Griffin Community Award is presented annually as part of UFC Honors President’s Choice category, as the award recipient is personally selected by UFC President Dana White,” the release reads. “UFC Honors, presented by Toyo Tires® is the company’s annual awards program recognizing UFC athletes, performances, and moments throughout each year.
UFC president Dana White and UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin also weighed in, in the press release. They each expressed admiration for Poirier’s charitable actions.
“Dustin is a great athlete, but more importantly he’s a great human being,” UFC President Dana White said. “He is a kid who works hard and is passionate about giving back to not only his community, but to those who are less fortunate.”
Griffin added, “I’m so happy people like him are in the sport. He’s such a good person and such a good representative of the sport. As he looks back in his life this is something he can reflect on and be proud of. I couldn’t ask for a better spokesperson and leader to start off the award’s legacy.”
Poirier also provided comments, seemingly caught off guard by the award at the UFC on ESPN 12 weigh-ins.
“I’m just grateful for the things we have accomplished with the foundation, the way it’s growing, and the support and people getting behind it,” Poirier said. “It’s amazing that when you do something from the heart, something that means something to you and you do it the right way, all the right things fall into place. These things are forced they are just happening.”
Additionally, Toyo Tires, which sponsors the award, announced it will be donating $25,000 to a charity of Poirier’s choice.
Poirier, 31, started “The Good Fight Foundation” with the help of his wife Jolie in 2018. The foundation has helped kick start initiatives to improve the lives of those in and around Poirier’s hometown of Lafayette, La.
The release also detailed a host of additional ways Poirier has given back.
“Dustin has also utilized his fight-worn UFC Fight Kits, auctioning off his inventory of apparel to raise donations for families of fallen law enforcement officers, and building a local playground for Aaron Hill, a terminally ill seven-year old of Lafayette. Hill, diagnosed with a genetic brain disorder, requested to have a special needs playground built for his friends who attend Prairie Elementary School.
In May 2019, he was awarded with the key to the city of Lafayette by Mayor Joel Robideaux for his work with The Good Fight Foundation and his contributions to the community.
Following his most recent fight in September 2019 against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov and Poirier each raffled off their fight-worn UFC Legacy Series Walkout Jerseys, raising more than $100,000 with a direct match from UFC, totaling $200,000 donated directly to the foundation.”
UFC on ESPN 12 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
UFC honors Dustin Poirier with inaugural 'Forrest Griffin Community Award'
