Basketball mascot ends up in hospital after Conor McGregor half-time stunt

Pray for Burnie.

After cheering on Katie Taylor at ringside, recently, it seems like Conor McGregor is sick of being on the sidelines. Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where Miami Heat took on the Denver Nuggets, seemed like a perfect opportunity for the Dubliner to become the centre of attention again, and what better way to do so than knocking out a mascots during a halftime skit? Taking to the court to promote his new pain relief spray, McGregor took part in a fake fight with Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot. However, the MMA star took things a step too far when he landed a left hook on Burnie's face, levelling him to the floor. He then dropped a brutal hammer blow while the fuzzy red mascot lay on the ground and sprayed him in the face with his promoted product.

Conor McGregor KO'd the Heat mascot ? #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/IRAKzuMKp2

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 10, 2023

'What do you expect?' asks Dana White

It turns out the spray didn't have much of an effect as, according to reports, the man inside the suit was taken straight to hospital, where doctors gave him pain medication. No further treatment was required. The 34-year-old was subsequently booed as he started to promote his 'Tidl' spray after the beloved mascot was dragged off the court, with the crowd more on the side of the downed Burnie.

Dana White gives his first reaction to the viral video of Conor McGregor punching out the Miami Heat mascot and sending him to the ER.

Full interview: https://t.co/y7KGlIuh1P pic.twitter.com/dovetnNgcU — MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 11, 2023

However, the mascot doesn't have everyone's support. UFC president Dana White made it clear he didn't have much sympathy, saying at a press conference: "What's up with mascots wanting to get punched in the face by professional fighters? What do you expect?" The recovery spray McGregor was promoting follows a series of business ventures the Crumlin-native has dipped his toes into, including his whiskey brand and a suit clothing line. The fighter's last appearance in the octagon came in 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier. He will also feature in the upcoming Road House remake alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. Related articles:

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