Miami Heat mascot hospitalized after getting punched by Conor McGregor during NBA Finals

Sometimes a joke can go wrong. Especially when former UFC champion Conor McGregor is involved. For whatever reason, the Miami Heat thought it would be a good idea to have McGregor punch their mascot, Burnie. Well, it wasn’t a good idea as the person in the costume was sent to the hospital on Friday night.

If there was ever a sign of things to come in this NBA Finals series, it should have been this bit. Promoting his new pain relief spray, Conor McGregor was supposed to rough up Burnie. The mascot had boxing gloves donned and was ready to fight the Irish MMA icon.

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.”

If I had to guess, I’d say it was the second punch from McGregor here that did it.

During Game 4 of Heat-Nuggets, Conor McGregor punched Burnie — Miami’s mascot — as part of a promotion for McGregor’s pain relief spray.

The hit actually sent the man who plays Burnie to the ER, per @sam_amick.

He’s since been released.pic.twitter.com/AITQnJscrz

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 10, 2023

The whole thing was supposed to be a little comedic relief for the Miami Heat fans in attendance. Burnie came out and looked confident. Then he was on the ground getting dragged away as Conor McGregor sprayed him with whatever new product he’s come out with.

McGregor has been in the media spotlight lately. While he makes his way around, he has a new movie coming out with Jake Gyllenhaal. It is a remake of the classic Road House. If this is how he pretends to fight, I wouldn’t want to be on set fighting him, even in a movie.

Conor McGregor still on his comeback journey

So, he has a movie coming out. Last night he knocked out Burnie. While that is all fine and good, the real concern is if and when he will return to the octagon. With his role in The Ultimate Fighter this year, he has a chance to make his mark in a big way. Then again, he hasn’t scheduled a fight with Michael Chandler yet.

However, that won’t stop the Irish fighter from feeling confident.

“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 taylor 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.”

Maybe we can consider this incident with Burnie his first TKO in his comeback?