As Dustin Poirier gears up for his final UFC battle against Max Holloway at UFC 318 on fans aren’t just watching a retirement bout, they’re witnessing the end of the journey for one of the most electrifying lightweights to ever step foot into the Octagon. With their bodies as the canvas, many fighters tell their stories. These are stories about the people they love, the things that they cherish, or symbolic representations of their identity.
Known for his grit inside the cage, ‘The Diamond’ also tells his story through the designs he sports on his body. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the art worn by Dustin Poirier and the stories behind it!
What does Dustin Poirier’s chest tattoo mean?
The heart doesn’t lie. And for Dustin Poirier, it beats for his daughter. On the right side of his chest sits the name Parker Noelle. She’s his anchor, and her name is etched close to where it matters most.
But that’s not all. The left side of his chest carries tiger stripes overlaid with the word bushido. It’s a Japanese code meaning “the way of the warrior.” Combine that with a tiger, an apex predator known for strength and fearlessness, and you get a glimpse into how Poirier sees himself.
Now, let’s shift our focus to other parts of his body that he has used as a canvas to display his impressive collection of ink!
Dustin Poirier’s arms and other tattoos
Move down from the chest, and things get even more layered. Dustin Poirier’s arms are a sleeve of symbols, memories, and belief systems rolled into one.
On his right wrist? A diamond, his nickname, brought to life. Near it, he has the names of the women who raised him: Deann, his mother, inked across his arm, and Glenda, his grandmother, on the same wrist. His left wrist has his wife Jolie’s name. Above that, there’s an outline of Louisiana with a magnolia inside, both nods to home. Just below the palm, he has his wedding date tattooed in Roman numerals, a design he shares with Jolie.
Then there’s the Fleur-de-lis on his left hand, a symbol of French royalty, honoring his Louisiana Cajun roots. On his forearms, he displays his faith proudly. The phrase “blood bought, paid in full” stretches across one arm, pure Christian belief inked in black. His right forearm carries Jesus and even a portrait of Christ on the cross.
NEW YORK CITY, NY – NOVEMBER 12: L-R Dustin Poirier looks on during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City, New York, United States. Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx spp-en-LoGr-lrg2211121091204_UFC281_MAIN
What about the fire? Poirier has stars inked with flames of red and orange. They represent a spiritual connection. Nearby, the word Phoenix blazes across his bicep, classic symbol of rebirth and resilience. Poirier has fallen many times but always rises as in his MMA career, going back to 2009, he has never lost two fights in a row!
Higher up, there’s a Japanese war mask, echoing his warrior spirit. On his shoulder sits a large rose with petals drifting down his arm. And behind his ear? A small king of diamonds—“K” and a diamond shape. A subtle tribute to his fight moniker. Every piece tells a story, but sometimes they might need to be changed as the chapters of life change alongside them, as we now try to figure out, did ‘The Diamond’ ever get one of his tattoos removed?
Did Dustin Poirier get a tattoo removed?
Tattoo regrets? Dustin Poirier has a few. But instead of removing them, he covered them up. During a 2019 interview with GQ Sports, he explained the black bands on his upper arm as he shared, “These huge blocks, I used to have my area code 337, I was just like man that’s silly and it was done really bad and so I covered it up with this. ”
Another tattoo he’s not too proud of? A giant cross on his right thigh. Though he doesn’t love how it turned out, he’s kept it. It’s part of the journey, after all.
From bushido codes to crosses, family names to flames, his body is a living diary. Now, as he prepares for one last dance at UFC 318 against Max Holloway in Louisiana, the ink tells the whole story of a fighter, a father, and a man who’s always worn his heart, quite literally, on his chest!
The post The Stories Behind Dustin Poirier’s Iconic Tattoos. appeared first on EssentiallySports.
