Former UFC champion Conor McGregor made an appearance at Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. Clad in a red velvet tracksuit, McGregor took to the court during a timeout to announce the official sponsorship of his TIDL Sport body spray for the Miami franchise. However, what was meant to be a promotional moment quickly turned sour for both McGregor and the Heat’s beloved mascot.
As McGregor stepped up to the microphone, the arena erupted in a chorus of boos, showcasing the mixed reception of his presence among the Heat faithful. Despite claiming it was his first time attending an NBA game courtside, the hostile crowd made their displeasure known.
However, the evening’s drama escalated when the Heat’s mascot, Burnie, donning gold boxing gloves, approached McGregor seemingly looking for a confrontation. What ensued was surprising. McGregor unleashed a powerful left hook, knocking off Burnie’s hat and sending the mascot crashing to the ground. The shocking display left the crowd gasping and the boos intensified.
Adding insult to injury, McGregor followed up with a jab to Burnie’s face, delivering a finishing blow. The unprecedented display of aggression left spectators in disbelief and further fueled the animosity towards McGregor. To make matters worse, McGregor proceeded to spray Burnie with TIDL as he was being pulled off the court by his legs.
Unfortunately for the Miami Heat, their night only worsened as they suffered a 108-95 defeat, putting them at a 3-1 deficit in the Finals against the Denver Nuggets. The loss dampened the spirits of the Heat’s fans, who had witnessed their team’s remarkable journey as the second No. 8 seed to reach the Finals.
As for McGregor, this controversial incident comes after a long hiatus from the UFC since his leg injury in a match against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The Irish star is set to make his return to the octagon later this year, facing Michael Chandler in what promises to be a highly anticipated bout. Both McGregor and Chandler are currently serving as coaches on the new season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Conor McGregor was booed by Heat fans BEFORE he KO’d Miami’s mascot during Game 4 😬 pic.twitter.com/4U82RwvTUT
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 10, 2023
