Eager to promote his Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor attended a pre-fight press conference in Moscow on October 24, 2019. During the event, McGregor, known for his flamboyant and controversial persona, faced an unexpected moment of controversy himself. As a promotional gesture, a person dressed in a red bear costume was present to entertain attendees. However, in a surprising turn of events, McGregor suddenly jolted forward and delivered a left-handed strike to the mascot's head. The incident was captured on video, quickly spreading across social media platforms and gaining attention from both fans and critics alike.
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor promotes a pain-relief spray during a break in Game 4 of the basketball NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor promotes a pain-relief spray during a break in Game 4 of the basketball NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Miami. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor punches Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot, during a break in Game 4 of the basketball NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Miami.
The incident was captured on video, quickly spreading across social media platforms and gaining attention from both fans and critics alike. While some found the incident amusing, many condemned McGregor's actions, deeming them disrespectful and inappropriate. The incident raised questions about the boundaries of promotion and the responsibility that public figures, such as McGregor, have to set a positive example.
Miami Heat Mascot Hospitalized by Conor McGregor Punch During Mid-Game Bit
Anna Lazarus Caplan is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work previously appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Morning News, Eater and other publications.
Updated on June 12, 2023 02:59PM EDTIf the Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, they’ll head back to Florida for Game 6 of the NBA Finals — and their mascot Burnie will be there to cheer them on!
Burnie’s will be okay, despite taking the worst of what was supposed be a friendly, mock-fight against UFC champion Conor McGregor during a planned promotion for the fighter’s pain relief spray on Friday night, which went awry when the mascot was actually injured.
In a video of the incident during a third-quarter timeout, McGregor squared off against the mascot, first punching him in the head, and then punching him again when he hit the ground. McGregor then doused the mascot with his spray before Heat staffers pulled Burnie off the court by his legs.
Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty
It wasn’t revealed until after the game, however, that Burnie was actually hurt in the altercation, The Athletic reported.
The man inside the mascot costume was taken to an area hospital, received pain medication, and was released to go home, per the publication.
The Nuggets went on to trounce the Heat 108-95, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. The Nuggets can clinch a championship for the first time in franchise history in Denver Monday night.
But if the resilient Heat — led by star Jimmy Butler and a supporting cast including Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent and Kevin Love — win, head coach Erik Spoelstra says they’ll have another advantage: Burnie in their corner.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“It’s the Miami Heat toughness that we are talking about,” Spoelstra said to reporters. “Should’ve been allowed to take the first swing. We won’t reveal who that is but he’s tough. Take a punch and get back up. Yeah, he’s not going to miss any time.”
“He can take a punch and get back up,” Spolestra continued, adding that if Game 6 were to come to fruition, Burnie would be out there for Miami.
In response to the backlash, McGregor's representatives released a statement claiming that it was all a misunderstanding and that McGregor intended to pat the mascot on its head. They argued that due to the mascot's oversized head, the force behind the intended pat was misjudged, resulting in a seemingly aggressive strike. However, skepticism around this explanation remained prevalent. This incident, which added to the long list of controversial moments in McGregor's career, rekindled debates about his behavior both inside and outside the ring. Detractors pointed to it as evidence of his lack of sportsmanship and disregard for professionalism, while supporters saw it as another example of his spontaneous and entertaining nature. As with any public incident involving a prominent figure, the "McGregor hitting mascot" incident provoked a wide range of opinions and discussions. Ultimately, it served as another chapter in the ongoing saga of McGregor's career, further fueling the already polarized perceptions of the Irish fighter..
Reviews for "McGregor's antics overshadow his fighting skills once again"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was appalled when I saw the video of McGregor hitting the mascot. As a fan of MMA, I expect better behavior from professional athletes. It was completely unnecessary and disrespectful. McGregor should be setting a positive example for his fans, especially the younger ones who look up to him. This incident only shows a lack of sportsmanship and immaturity on his part.
2. Mike - 2 stars - I'm not a fan of McGregor, and this incident definitely didn't help improve my opinion of him. It's disappointing to see someone who is considered a role model in the sport behaving so irresponsibly. Hitting a mascot, no matter the context, is just plain childish. I hope McGregor learns from this mistake and takes a more mature approach in the future.
3. Jessica - 1 star - The incident where McGregor punched the mascot was inexcusable. It was a clear disregard for the mascot's well-being and showed a lack of respect for the people who work hard to entertain the fans. McGregor's actions were reckless and demonstrated his inability to control his temper. This incident tarnishes his reputation as a professional athlete and sets a bad example for aspiring fighters. Disappointing to say the least.
4. Mark - 2 stars - McGregor's behavior towards the mascot was incredibly disappointing. Whether it was a joke or not, it was disrespectful and unnecessary. McGregor has a responsibility to represent the sport in a positive light, and his actions here fell short of that. It's discouraging to see a fighter with such talent resorting to such juvenile behavior. I hope McGregor reflects on this incident and takes steps to improve his conduct in the future.