What Happened to the Miami Heat Mascot? Conor McGregor Knocks Out Miami Heat Mascot
by Kowsalya
Updated Jun 15, 2023
What Happened to the Miami Heat Mascot?
During halftime of Game 4 in Miami, there was an orchestrated skit involving Burnie, the mascot, and MMA superstar Conor McGregor. McGregor's participation was part of a promotional act for his line of pain relief spray.
Dressed in boxing attire, including a robe and gloves, Burnie appeared ready for action. However, things took an unexpected turn when McGregor's punch packed more power than anticipated, resulting in Burnie being knocked out cold at center court. In the process, Burnie's orange hair went flying off. McGregor then delivered another punch to Burnie's face while he was still lying on the ground.
Conor McGregor Knocks Out Miami Heat Mascot
During a break in Game 4 of the NBA finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, engaged in a promotional skit that went awry. McGregor ended up knocking out the Miami Heat mascot, known as Burnie, during the third quarter.
The individual inside the Burnie costume sought medical attention after receiving two punches from McGregor. The Heat confirmed that the employee, whose identity was not disclosed, received pain medication and was resting at home.
McGregor's presence at the game was part of a promotional campaign for a pain-relief spray. However, even before the skit began, McGregor faced boos from the Miami crowd. Burnie, dressed in oversized boxing gloves and a robe resembling a fighter's entrance attire, was the target of McGregor's punches. The first left hook sent Burnie to the ground, and McGregor followed up with another punch while Burnie was still down.
Following the incident, McGregor attempted to "spray" the mascot with the pain-relief product, while members of the Heat's in-game promotional team helped remove Burnie from the court.
It's worth noting that McGregor has not competed since his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, where he suffered a leg injury. His last victory in the octagon came in January 2020.
Miami Heat Mascot Injury
After the incident, the individual inside the Burnie suit was taken to a nearby emergency room for treatment, according to The Athletic. He received pain medication and was subsequently sent back home. CBS Sports reported that he is said to be in improved condition.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the incident with a touch of humor during his conversation with reporters. He praised Burnie for enduring two punches from someone as formidable as Conor McGregor and jokingly suggested that Burnie should have been given a chance to swing back.
Spoelstra mentioned that they will not be disclosing the identity of the person inside the mascot suit, but emphasized their resilience in taking a punch and getting back up. If the series extends to Game 6, Burnie will resume his on-court duties. Heat fans, along with Burnie, will undoubtedly hope for a Miami victory in Denver.
Who is Conor McGregor?
Conor Anthony McGregor, born on July 14, 1988, is an Irish professional mixed martial artist. He achieved great success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), holding titles in both the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions simultaneously, a feat never accomplished before. McGregor also held championship titles in Cage Warriors in the Featherweight and Lightweight categories.
While McGregor's foray into professional boxing ended in defeat against Floyd Mayweather Jr., he made history as the highest-grossing pay-per-view draw in MMA.
He headlined the top five highest-selling UFC pay-per-view events, with his fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 reaching a record-breaking 2.4 million PPV buys. His boxing match with Mayweather in North America garnered 4.3 million PPV buys, second only to Mayweather's clash with Manny Pacquiao in combat sports history.
In 2021, McGregor was recognized as the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes, reportedly earning $180 million. He also appeared on Forbes' list in 2018, ranking fourth with an estimated income of $99 million. McGregor's charismatic personality and remarkable fighting skills have made him a global sports icon.
What Happened to the Miami Heat Mascot-FAQs
During halftime of Game 4 in Miami, there was an orchestrated skit involving Burnie, the mascot, and MMA superstar Conor McGregor. McGregor's participation was part of a promotional act for his line of pain relief spray.
Conor Anthony McGregor, born on July 14, 1988, is an Irish professional mixed martial artist.
Conor McGregor was born on July 14, 1988.
After the incident, the individual inside the Burnie suit was taken to a nearby emergency room for treatment, according to The Athletic. He received pain medication and was subsequently sent back home. CBS Sports reported that he is said to be in improved condition.
During a break in Game 4 of the NBA finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, engaged in a promotional skit that went awry. McGregor ended up knocking out the Miami Heat mascot, known as Burnie, during the third quarter.