What was supposed to be a fun bit turned into a serious situation for the man who plays the role of Burnie, the Miami Heat’s mascot.
The man was reportedly hospitalized and placed on pain medication after taking a punch from UFC star Conor McGregor.
The 34-year-old southpaw was courtside for the game.
At halftime, he announced that his TIDL Sport body spray is now an official sponsor of the team.
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Conor McGregor during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center June 9, 2023, in Miami, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Following the announcement, the mascot appeared on the court sporting gold boxing gloves.
McGregor threw a vicious left hook that sent the mascot to the floor and then punched him while he was down.
Burnie was then dragged off the court by members of the Heat in-game entertainment crew.
Connor McGregor and mascot Burnie of the Miami Heat perform during halftime against the Denver Nuggets during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals June 9, 2023, at Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Little did McGregor know he actually did some damage, according to The Athletic.
The man has since been released from a hospital.
McGregor was booed by the Miami crowd before the punch even happened, so this will do him no favors if he’s in South Beach any time soon.
McGregor is slated to make a return to the Octagon to face Michael Chandler later this year. McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier.
Conor McGregor during a timeout of Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center June 9, 2023, in Miami, Fla. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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The Heat lost Game 4, 108-95, and trail the NBA Finals three games to one against the Denver Nuggets.
