Dana White says he’s ‘NOT surprised’ Miami Heat mascot was hospitalized by Conor McGregor’s brutal punch as UFC president slams NBA franchise publicity stunt
- Conor McGregor hospitalized the Miami Heat mascot with two vicious blows
- UFC president Dana White has slammed the NBA franchise for its publicity stunt
Dana White has given his instant reaction to a clip of Conor McGregor punching Miami Heat mascot “Burnie” last week in a reported stunt.
The former two-weight UFC champion appeared in midfield to promote his TIDAL cryotherapy pain relief spray during Game 4 of the NBA Finals when he was approached by ‘Burnie’ wearing a pair of oversized boxing gloves.
McGregor leveled the beloved white furry character with a vicious left hook before following up with another while pinned down.
The unnamed man inside the suit was rushed to the emergency room following the knockout and given painkillers before being released a short time later.
Asked about the incident at UFC 289 on Saturday, White told the assembled media that he “wasn’t surprised” to hear about the hospitalization.
Conor McGregor floored Miami Heat mascot ‘Burnie’ with a vicious left hook
He then followed that up with another crushing blow to the helpless grounded mascot
The anonymous man in the suit was rushed to the emergency room after the incident
UFC chief Dana White was unimpressed with the NBA publicity stunt and slammed them for it
“I also saw the Deontay Wilder one,” White said, referring to a 2018 video in which the Bronze Bomber floored an ESPN Nacion mascot.
“What’s up with mascots who want to get punched in the face by professional fighters?”
‘What are you waiting for? I mean, what are these mascots made of?
“Unless you were like the Golden Knights mascot – I don’t even know what he’s wearing, but I guess it’s a metal helmet – I wouldn’t have pro fighters punching me in the face. if I was a mascot.
“It doesn’t seem like the brightest thing in the world.”
McGregor is expected to return to the UFC octagon later this year against Michael Chandler.
The pair recently wrapped filming for the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter which pits the rivals as trainers before they pounce for real.
No date or venue has yet been announced, but McGregor must first register with USADA’s drug testing program before he is cleared to fight.
