UFC Fight Night 120 headliner Dustin Poirier selling fight kit to benefit slain officer's family

Dustin Poirier returns to headliner status next month, and he’ll be using his fight to help the family of a police officer in his home town.

Poirier (21-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) headlines UFC Fight Night 120 against former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (20-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC), and after the event he said he’ll be selling his fight kit to raise money for Lafayette (La.) Police Cpl. Michael Middlebrook, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month.

Middlebrook, who was known as “Mr. Mike” to many of the residents he served for, left behind a wife and three children. The family currently is dealing with a mounting controversy over health benefits. According to a report in the Daily Advertiser, his family recently learned its health insurance policy will not continue at the same rate as when Middlebrook was alive.

Poirier said on his Facebook page that he’ll provide a link to a fund-raising sale for his Reebok fight kit after his bout with Pettis, and all the proceeds will go to Middlebrook’s family.

I will be selling my fight kit from my upcoming fight at UFC Fight Night 120. All of the proceeds will be going directly to the family of Corporal Michael Middlebrook, A 9 year veteran of the Lafayette La police dept. Who lost his life in the line of duty earlier this month. He left behind a wife and 3 daughters.
I will post a link to purchase immediately following my fight November 11th. Thank you all for your support.

UFC Fight Night 120 takes place Nov. 11 at Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va., on the campus of Old Dominion University. The card airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Poirier is a perennial contender who’s ranked No. 13 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkieMMA lightweight rankings. The Lafayette native was on a 5-1 run before a recent bout with ex-titleholder Eddie Alvarez ended in a no-contest due to illegal knees from Alvarez.

For more on UFC Fight Night 120, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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