Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has his next charitable mission in mind as he prepares for a return to action at UFC 257 in a highly anticipated rematch against Conor McGregor.
For the past few years, Poirier has created several initiatives for The Good Fight Foundation, a charity founded by he and his wife Jolie.
Poirier initially began auctioning off his fight-worn apparel in order to raise money for various causes around his home state of Louisiana before expanding to reach a global audience in need. In the past, he has helped raise money to help build water wells in Uganda, provided the necessary tools for students in a school supply drive, and bought car seats for a local hospital to help new mothers transport their children home safely.
Now, Poirier has a new goal in mind: Help students who are adapting to a changing world due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“First, I want to say the pandemic has been tough on all of us,” Poirier said during a video announcing his plans. “Our kids are not excluded from that. Schooling’s been crazy, it’s been tough times for everyone.
“So we wanted to team up with the Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana and their six locations and get behind their Project Learn initiative providing tutors for the year of 2021 to help the children academically and transportation for the year of 2021 to get the kids from the clubs back home safe and sound. These are our children, this is our future. Let’s fight the good fight.”
Happy Holidays!
We are excited to announce that for our next goal we will be teaming up with The Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana! We want to help bridge the gap in academic success by providing transportation & tutoring for all 6 of their locations in 2021! https://t.co/EDUDwdMTlm pic.twitter.com/P0iwPkgZaX— The Good Fight Foundation (@TheGoodFightFDN) December 22, 2020
Since launching the foundation, Poirier has not only seen support from the MMA community at large, but even from past opponents who’ve jumped on board to lend a helping hand. Former featherweight champion Max Holloway donated gloves from his fight for an auction to benefit the charity. UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov auctioned off a post-fight shirt that helped raise $100,000. UFC President Dana White then matched that figure to donate another $100,000.
While Porier’s focus ahead of UFC 257 is avenging a past loss to McGregor inside the octagon, McGregor has already pledged to donate $500,000 to the foundation after they clash in January.
Following McGregor’s announcement, Poirier revealed plans to use at least a portion of that money to build a gym for struggling youth as he continues to help those in need.
More information can be found on the Good Fight Foundation website as well as a link to donate to the charity.