Global Courant
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor knocked out the Miami Heat mascot in a midgame gone wrong.
Burnie — more specifically, the man who occupies Burnie’s costume — briefly sought medical attention Friday night after taking two punches from McGregor during a stoppage in the third quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets.
The Heat said on Saturday that the worker, who was not identified, was given pain medication and rested at home.
McGregor was there as a promotional gimmick for a pain-relieving spray — and was already booed by many in the Miami crowd before the bit started.
The flame mascot wore oversized boxing gloves and a robe similar to what a fighter would wear when entering the ring for a fight. McGregor hit Burnie with a left hook, knocked him down, and hit the mascot again after he fell to the ground.
McGregor then attempted to “spray” the mascot with the analgesic product, while several members of Heat’s in-game promotion team dragged Burnie off the field.
McGregor has not fought since he injured his left leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His last win was in January 2020.
