Dustin Poirier was arrested on Father's Day, June 21, for public intoxication and the bodycam arrest video spread across social media on Tuesday. Poirier took to Instagram to address the situation and to acknowledge that he's at the point where he needs help.

Key Facts At A Glance

• Who:Dustin Poirier, 37, retired former interim UFC lightweight champion
• Incident: Arrested Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Charge: Misdemeanor public intoxication; booked at Clayton County Jail, released on bond within hours
• Trigger: Removed from a Delta flight after being denied boarding, then combative with staff and officers
• Statement: Said on Instagram he is "at the point where I need some help," citing alcohol and life after fighting
• Background: Retired in 2025 after a decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318; now a UFC analyst on Paramount+

What Happened During Dustin Poirier's Airport Arrest?

Poirier was belligerent and aggressive toward an officer and members of Delta's staff. The entire episode was caught on the officer's bodycam.

Police said he was removed from Delta Flight 1295 after being denied boarding, then booked on a misdemeanor public-intoxication charge at Clayton County Jail before bonding out within hours. Officers noted they recognized him from his fighting career and called for backup as he grew combative, though he was taken into custody without any physical struggle.

What Did Dustin Poirier Say After The Arrest Video?

Poirier made it clear he was sorry. He took full responsibility for the situation and expressed his desire to get help for his battle with alcoholism.

As someone who has watched this battle up close, my heart goes out to him and I pray he gets the help he needs. His openness is the first step.

In a statement to his roughly six million followers, Poirier wrote that he is "at the point where I need some help." He said alcohol had ruined his father's life and that he refuses to let it do the same to his, adding that his family deserves him at full strength.

How Have Fans And MMA Peers Reacted?

As you might expect, fan response has run the gamut from highly insensitive, damning and ridiculous to supportive and heartfelt. Most of Poirier's peers and current fighters showed their support. Poirier is one of the most respected fighters in the history of the sport and most seem to hope he finds peace, safety, mental and physical health.

The clip drew concern from across the sport, but the prevailing tone among fighters and fans was support for a man widely regarded as one of the most respected figures of his generation. Many framed his decision to ask for help publicly as the hardest and most important step.

What's Next For Dustin Poirier?

Poirier works as an analyst for the UFC. There have been no indications that he will lose his spot in those roles. However, it would be a surprise if he doesn't take some time away to get himself together before returning to the air.

The fighter who beat him at UFC 318 has since lined up a marquee rematch, while Poirier's path now turns inward. He is hardly the first to learn that walking away from the octagon or stepping away entirely can be its own kind of fight, which is exactly why his public call for help reads as a meaningful first move.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

“Football unites the world,” soccer’s global governing body, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), proudly declares. But this summer’s men’s World Cup kicked off with geopolitical tensions on display. To add to the challenge, this is the most complex World Cup ever, with three host countries and an expanded roster of 48 teams. Three-quarters of the 104 matches are being played in 11 U.S. cities. To gain insight into the health and security challenges of this World Cup, I spoke with an internationally recognized expert in emergency medicine and major-event care.

Dr. Mick Molloy is a faculty emergency physician at University College, Dublin, Ireland. A formidable athlete before becoming a physician, he played Rugby at the national and International Level. He served as team physician for the Irish National Rugby League team at two World Cups and was Commissioner of Rugby League Ireland for six years. He’s managed medical care for more than 300 mass gatherings (many involving international soccer) and was Chief Medical Officer for two UEFA Conference League Finals.

Dr. Art Kellermann: Is the U.S. medically prepared for the World Cup?

Dr. Mick Molloy: This is the question of the moment. I had conversations with senior medical professionals preparing for this protracted competition. One of the challenges is whether America’s overstretched ERs and EMS personnel systems in host cities can sustain the substantial demands of covering multiple World Cup hotels, training facilities, fan zones, and other venues in addition to their existing 24/7 duties.

For example, some of the medical planners I spoke with did not initially realize that the fan zones must be supported throughout the 30 days of competition. They assumed that they’d only be operational on local match days.

The Scale Of This World Cup Is Unprecedented

Dr. Kellermann: We’ve hosted big international sports events before, including the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the 1999 and 2003 Women's World Cups, and eight Olympic Games. Isn’t that proof that we know what we’re doing?

Dr. Mick Molloy: It has been a long time since the U.S. hosted the FIFA men’s World Cup, which is bigger and lasts longer than the Olympics. Add to that the tension involved when certain countries meet on the field, particularly in the knockout stage of the competition. Iran’s team is competing, though its participation is fraught with geopolitical tension. And this World Cup could be complicated by the presence of masked ICE agents.

In previous World Cups, teams were usually guaranteed a swift immigration process. Unfortunately, that was not the case this time. I saw images of teams being screened in open air, news reports of official delegates being refused entry, and even a World Cup referee from Somalia being turned away at Miami International Airport. Media in Europe reported on fans who’d secured an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) waiver for entry into the U.S. months ago, only to find in the week before travel that their status had been changed to “pending” or “rejected.”

Issues of Concern

Dr. Kellermann: What worries you most?

Dr. Molloy: For players, it’s the heat. FIFA and its medical department work with team physicians to prepare them for the weather conditions they may expect in the host country, but the unpredictable element here is the playoff nature of the competition. Advancing teams may play in a city where they have little time to acclimatize. There will be hydration breaks during games and special rules that take effect if the on-field temperature exceeds 32°C (90°F).

Fan health is also a concern, as many fans will spend extended time in the summer heat. In heat waves, Aid stations could be hard-pressed to manage everyone affected.

Fan fights are another worry. In most parts of the world, soccer and alcohol go hand-in-hand. Some of the competing teams have a history of bad blood between their fans. So far, crowd moods have been good, but tempers rise in the knockout stage of the competition. At that point, team combinations won’t be known until the last minute. Host cities will have little time to organize added security for games with volatile pairings.

The fan zones could be challenging. Because they are free and show non-local matches on massive screens, they could get very busy. European club football (e.g., Premier League) establishes separate fan zones for supporters of rival teams so they don’t interact in an alcohol-fuelled environment. That’s not feasible in a 48-team World Cup. Medical and security personnel must be vigilant throughout the competition

ICE agents are maintaining a visible presence. U.S. officials emphasize that they are focused on event security rather than on immigration sweeps. I worry, however, that if adverse interactions occur, things might spin out of control. If word spreads that ICE is conducting searches or arresting fans, it could spark protests and increase the risk of violence or a deadly crowd crush. This concern also applies to fan zones. I hope that common sense prevails.

Security

Dr. Kellermann: How does stadium security factor in?

Dr. Molloy: Crowd management is a concern at any mass gathering. The fan violence that was a part of global soccer in the 1970s and 80s has almost been eliminated, but it can still raise its head,

In stadiums, conflicts can be reduced by keeping fans of teams with antagonistic histories apart. In many European countries, police accompany each team’s supporters along pre-designated routes to the stadium to avoid the other team’s supporters. I don’t think this is done in the United States.

When the World Cup enters the knockout phase on June 28, emotions will run high. Given soccer’s history and current international tensions, crowds should be carefully managed throughout the competition.

In the UK, programmable signs direct crowds to the stadium with voice and text messages that are translated into the languages of expected fans. They are also helpful in emergencies, such as a suddenly hostile crowd or a disaster situation. I am unaware if this technology is used in the United States.

Modern stadiums are designed to minimize the risk of crowd crush, but it is hard to eliminate the possibility. “Nozzle effects” occur when two or more streams of people meet at angles in an insufficient space. When a crowd has a singular focus of reaching their seats on time, it can lead to dangerous behavior. This must be avoided at all costs.

It will be important to actively monitor crowd density at key places and intervene if it grows too quickly. Otherwise, falls, trampling, injuries and deaths could occur.

Aggressive Fans

Dr. Kellermann: FIFA expects over 6.5 million spectators. Most will be domestic rather than international travelers. Does that mitigate your concerns?

Dr. Molloy:

Not really. Because passions run high in soccer, supporters of competing teams should be seated in different areas. If fans of team one end up in a crowd supporting team two, it could cause security challenges. The stakes grow in the knockout round.

Fans from competing nations purchased tickets in advance to guarantee entry to the stadiums. So did domestic fans with ties to competing countries. Given ticket costs and last-minute visa challenges, reselling is inevitable. So any plan to keep the supporters of rival teams apart will be imperfect.

Hopefully, all will go well. However, in mass-gathering healthcare, it’s better to anticipate worst-case scenarios and engineer solutions in advance rather than wait and react.

Closing Thoughts

Dr. Kellermann: The World Cup is underway. Do you have any parting words for those in host cities who are responsible for dealing with health and security risks?

Dr. Molloy: World Cups are full of joy for many and sadness for others. Inevitably, some will become overwhelmed and need support. Please remember that due to language barriers, these individuals may not understand questions or commands from the police. Festina Lente – balance urgency with diligence and decisiveness with compassion to ensure that those who require care get the treatment they need.

Bill Shankley, a Scottish player and manager who transformed Liverpool F.C. from a struggling second-division team into a European powerhouse, famously remarked, ”Some people believe football is a matter of life and death… I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The UFC made a move to part ways with three veterans on the roster on Friday, June 19. Thiago Moises was the biggest name on the list, which also included Ariane Carnelossi. The promotion also snipped bantamweight veteran Cameron Smotherman, who is unfortunately best known for his viral collapse at a weigh-in in January. Let's talk MMA.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Fighter: Cameron "The Baby-Faced Killa" Smotherman, bantamweight
• Age: 28
• Record: 12-7 overall, 1-3 in the UFC
• Why cut: Three straight losses, capped by a May KO to Kai Asakura
• Best known for: Collapsing at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in January

Why Did The UFC Release Cameron Smotherman?

Smotherman is known for the collapse, but that's not why he was cut. Before the collapse, which happened ahead of his scheduled fight with Ricky Turcios, Smotherman had lost back-to-back bouts. The Turcios fight was canceled.

Smotherman returned to the Octagon in May, where he was knocked out in the first round by Kai Asakura. The three-fight skid is what got him cut.

His 1-3 UFC run opened with a decision win before the slide, and in a bantamweight division this deep, three losses in a row is usually the threshold. The UFC regularly moves on from fighters whose results dip, even ones with name recognition. His release surfaced through roster-watch channels rather than a formal announcement.

What Happened At Cameron Smotherman's Weigh-In?

Smotherman passed out seconds after walking off the scale, and it was a scary scene. He later said it wasn't a hard cut, that he came in relatively light, and that the cause was never confirmed. Even so, weight cuts remain the most dangerous aspect of combat sports.

The moment came at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in January, on the night the promotion launched its Paramount broadcast deal. He made 135.5 pounds, then collapsed face-first as officials and medical staff rushed in, and his bout was scrapped. The clip spread across social media within minutes.

What Did The Collapse Say About Weight Cutting?

The collapse should encourage fighters to compete closer to their natural weight, but this issue is not new. Fighters and most athletes are always looking to gain an edge, and rehydration to a bigger size is seen as an edge.

The clip became fresh ammunition for critics of MMA's weight-cut culture, reviving calls for tighter fight-week monitoring, rehydration limits, or additional weight classes. Fans split over who carries the blame, from the fighter and his team to the commission and the promotion. It is a debate the sport keeps having every time a scale moment goes wrong.

What's Next For Cameron Smotherman?

Smotherman's career probably isn't over. I could see him popping up as an opponent for a bigger name early in their career with PFL or MVP MMA. A road back to the UFC will be tough, but he's only 28, so we will see.

At 28, a regional rebuild is a realistic path, and promotions like the PFL often add experienced names to test prospects. A spot on a future MVP MMA card would fit a fighter with his recognition. Whether he climbs back to the UFC may hinge as much on stacking wins as on moving past the weigh-in clip.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The card is set for WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 27. After an especially epic episode of SmackDown from Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, we know every match that will happen in Riyadh. Let's talk wrestling.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Event: WWE Night of Champions 2026 (12th edition)
• Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
• U.S. Stream: ESPN streaming service
• International: Netflix (most markets)
• Main Hook: King and Queen of the Ring finals plus an Undisputed WWE Championship triple threat

What Is The Full WWE Night Of Champions 2026 Card?

We saw a Triple Threat match for the WWE championship added in the first segment of SmackDown.

• Undisputed WWE Championship (Triple Threat):Cody Rhodes (c) vs. GUNTHER vs. Sami Zayn
• King of the Ring Final:Oba Femi vs. Jey Uso
• Queen of the Ring Final:IYO SKY vs. Liv Morgan
• United States Championship:Trick Williams (c) vs. Ricky Saints
• Women's United States Championship:Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
• Steel Cage Match:Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

That makes six matches spanning both brands, with the two tournament finals carrying the heaviest long-term stakes. WWE assembled the lineup almost entirely through tournament progress and television angles over the past few weeks.

What's At Stake In The King And Queen Of The Ring Finals?

A trip to SummerSlam in Minnesota and a title shot is on the line for the winners. Jey Uso will automatically pick Cody Rhodes, or whomever holds the blue brand's title after NOC. Oba Femi will almost certainly choose Roman Reigns.

On the women's side, Liv Morgan is already the Women's World Champion, so she'll go after WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley, if she's healthy. IYO will likely look to run it back against Liv for her title if she wins at NOC.

Both finals reward the winner with a world title shot at SummerSlam, which makes them the most consequential matches on the card. Oba Femi's rapid main-roster ascent has positioned him as a potential first-time world champion, while Jey Uso carries heavy Bloodline storyline weight into the final.

Which Championships Are On The Line In Riyadh?

It's not old school NOC with every title in the company on the line, but there is a good amount of gold up for grabs.

The Undisputed WWE Championship headlines after Sami Zayn's actions turned the Cody Rhodes–GUNTHER Clash in Italy rematch into a three-way for Riyadh. Trick Williams defends the United States Championship against Ricky Saints, who earned the shot by winning a No. 1 contender's match on SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton also defends the Women's United States Championship against Jade Cargill, the first time that title is defended on a premium live event.

How Can You Watch WWE Night Of Champions 2026?

ESPN is the way to watch in the United States. In fact, the promotion is packing the first hour with marquee matches again for this premium live event.

Internationally, the show streams on Netflix in most markets, with SuperSport carrying it in Sub-Saharan Africa and Abema in Japan. It starts at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT from Kingdom Arena, an early bell that North American fans will need to plan around. For the full date, time and location details, the event is set for Saturday, June 27.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Josh Hokit is the unruly class clown of the UFC who won't stop with his antics until his peers stop laughing at his lame jokes.

Hopefully, we're beginning to see the smiles turn upside down. Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion and current analyst Daniel Cormier took aim at Hokit's recent reckless and disgusting insult of former first lady Michelle Obama during his post-fight interview at the White House.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Who: Daniel Cormier, UFC Hall of Famer and current broadcaster
• What: Publicly condemned Josh Hokit's post-fight insult of Michelle Obama
• Where: UFC Freedom 250, White House South Lawn, June 14, 2026
• The win: Hokit stopped Derrick Lewis by second-round TKO to move to 10-0
• Also on record: UFC CEO Dana White condemned the remark

What Did Daniel Cormier Say About Josh Hokit?

There was a lot, but it can be summed up as follows: this isn't funny anymore. It's disgusting, unnecessary and it's going to cost you more than you'll gain.

On his podcast, Cormier called the comment "gross" and "disgusting" and stressed there was no upside to saying it. He praised the former first lady as "as classy a person as you will ever meet," arguing the jab was an unnecessary shot in a setting that called for unity. His closing message to the heavyweight was blunt: "get it together, dude."

What Did Josh Hokit Say About Michelle Obama?

Hokit targeted Obama saying the former first lady "is a man." No matter if you're a Republican, Democrat or whatever, attempting to insult someone on this level is out of bounds and as Cormier pointed out, it divides people, as if we need any help with that concept.

After the post-fight interview in the Octagon, Hokit doubled down on the insult in another post-fight interview.

The remark overshadowed a milestone night and a finish over Derrick Lewis that should have defined his story on the historic White House card. UFC CEO Dana White quickly condemned the remark, saying he hates that kind of nonsense.

Why Does Cormier's Criticism Carry Weight?

Cormier's criticism carries weight because he's not always the most outspoken person when it comes to these kinds of issues. He is often painted as a company man who plays it very safe with his commentary.

Cormier was dealing with his own X fiasco, but still found Hokit's comments important enough to address. Some might say that's strategic focus switching. No matter the motivation, his points are spot-on.

The "X fiasco" refers to a since-deleted post from Cormier's account showing alleged messages with Eric Trump about "rigged" White House fights, which Cormier says came from a hacked account he had no part in.

Speaking out still carried risk, because he knows Hokit personally and trains with him at his gym. That insider relationship, plus his standing as a two-division champion calling a Freedom 250 broadcast sold as a celebration, is what makes the rebuke land harder than the outside political noise.

What's Next For Josh Hokit?

Hokit is without question the hottest heavyweight prospect in the sport. He has also benefited from the attention his persona-filled mic work has delivered. He's been seemingly taking guidance from Chael Sonnen, someone who masterminded the bad guy role during his fight days, but never stooped to these levels of skullduggery.

As it is, Hokit seems to be lined up for a huge heavyweight clash in his next fight. It's very possible he could face Alex Pereira next in a bout that could lead to a title shot for the winner.

That persona has fueled his rise, but it also fuels the backlash. Pereira, though, is coming off a Round 2 KO loss to Ciryl Gane on that same card, where Gane claimed the interim heavyweight title, so any Hokit matchup reads as a floated callout rather than a booked eliminator.

If Hokit keeps leaning on stunts over substance, the fighting Cormier respects risks becoming the footnote.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com