Former UFC champion Connor McGregor clocked Miami Heat mascot Burnie in the face twice, as part of a halftime skit during Game 4 of the NBA finals.
The staged fight was supposed to be a good-natured bout to help promote McGregor’s new Tidle pain relief spray, but instead, the professional fighter failed to pull his punches and sent the man inside the costume to the emergency room.
Conor McGregor KO'd the Heat mascot #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/IRAKzuMKp2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 10, 2023
After The Athletic reported the ‘staged’ fight’s concerning aftermath, fans across social media quickly criticized McGregor and his obvious lapse in judgment. “I don't see the humor in this at all,” one Twitter user commented. “Looked like assault to me.”
Why the frick did he hit him so hard? I saw this and thought even with headgear under the mascot mask that was outrageously hard punch.
— The V₳nilla Godzill₳ (@5050isaloss) June 11, 2023
Ironically, the unnamed man behind the mask reportedly received pain medication before being released from the hospital.
“That’s the Miami Heat toughness that we’re talking about,” Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. “He can take a punch and get back up. He’s not going to miss any time.”
The Miami Heat are going to need to show some of that toughness themselves, after their 108-95 Game 4 loss to the Denver Nuggets leaves them in a 3-1 Finals hole. Game 5 is tonight at 8:30 ET.
Your new highest-paid NBA Mascot
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 10, 2023
McGregor win's his first fight in years & it's against a human stuffed animal
— Washed Gamer (@MitchellRossman) June 10, 2023
Heat mascot reading the pregame script pic.twitter.com/iTR02X8r3D
— Buttcrack Sports (@ButtCrackSports) June 10, 2023
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