Dana White sounds off on Conor McGregor sending Miami Heat mascot to the hospital

UFC president Dana White sounded off on Conor McGregor’s Miami Heat mascot incident, which sent the latter to the ER after a stunt.

The bit saw McGregor throw a “knockout punch,” but the former two-weight UFC champion threw another one with the mascot on the ground. Planned or not, that probably hurt quite a bit.

White was baffled that mascots wanted to get punched for publicity or a stunt. He even referenced an incident with boxer Deontay Wilder.

“I saw the Deontay Wilder one, too,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “What’s up with mascots wanting to get punched in the face by professional fighters? What do you expect? I mean, what are those mascot things made out of?

“Unless you’re like, the Golden Knights mascot – I don’t even know what the hell he wears, but I’m assuming it’s a metal helmet – I wouldn’t have professional fighters punching me in the face if I was a mascot. Doesn’t seem like the brightest thing in the world.”

Burnie, the Heat mascot, might’ve summed up the series for Miami. The Denver Nuggets took home the NBA Finals title Monday with a Game 5 victory back in Colorado.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the man in the mascot costume was given pain meds by a doctor and was sent home. He is “doing well.”

Conor McGregor promises greatest comeback in sports

Ahead of the premier of The Ultimate Fighter, where Conor McGregor is a coach against expected opponent Michael Chandler, McGregor opened up about his impending return. There is no official fight date against Chandler yet though.

However, McGregor promised history when he makes his return to the octagon.

“You know, not only just a return Megan, the greatest return in combat sports,” McGregor told UFC reporter Megan Olivi. “This is going to be, you know, I’m gonna kick this guy in the head. He’s just tailor-made for being kicked all over the place and that’s what I’m aiming for. I’m aiming to wrap this steel bar around the opponent.

“And you’re gonna see a visual of the leg hanging off and then you’re going to see a visual of the head hanging off. So I’m excited for it and motivated for it. Steady, making my way towards it.”

Chandler wanted McGregor for quite a while since he debuted in the UFC. After losing a title fight to Charles Olivieria, Chandler kept his excitement streak going in wins and losses against Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier, respectively.