Conor McGregor has spoken out against the critics after receiving backlash for hospitalizing a Miami Heat mascot.
The 34-year-old former two-weight UFC champion was in attendance at game four of the NBA finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat on Saturday (June 10).
He appeared on the court midgame to do a promotion for his brand TIDL Sport - a "plant-powered" cryotherapy spray that is supposed to relieve pain - when Miami Heat mascot Burnie confronted him.
The planned stunt was to hurt the mascot jokingly but it seemed like McGregor got a bit carried away as he struck Burnie with a left hook that ultimately floored him, per News.com.au.
Watch the incident below:The mixed martial artist then followed up with another punch while the mascot was down, and then sprayed them with the pain relief medication while they were dragged off the court by Heat staff.
According to the outlet, Heat coach Erik Spolestra didn't seem too upset about the planned fight, saying: "That’s the Miami Heat toughness that we’re talking about...[Burnie] should have been allowed to take the first swing.
"He can take a punch and get back up," the coach continued, stating that if game six was to happen, Burnie would be out there for Miami. "He’s not going to miss any time."
While the incident was quite obviously a skit, many onlookers believed that it had gone beyond that when it was revealed that the mascot was reportedly hospitalized.
However, the Irishman affirmed to the hosts on Live with Mark and Kelly on Wednesday (June) 14 that the fight was "part of the skit, it was all a skit. We were backstage, all was well, it was just part of the show.
"The mascot’s good [...] It was a skit, and it went the way it went, and all is well. I spent a lot of time with him afterward, we hugged it out, and everything was great," he continued. "It blew up. I recently made my acting debut, you know? I’m not a bad actor."
Per The Mirror, UFC President Dana White shared his thoughts regarding Conor McGregor's promotional punch, saying: "What's up with mascots wanting to get punched in the face by professional fighters?
"What do you expect?", he continued. "I mean, what are those mascot things made out of? Unless you're the Golden Knights mascot - I don't even know what he wears, but I'm assuming it's a metal helmet - I wouldn't have professional fighters punching me in the face if I was a mascot. Doesn't seem like the brightest thing in the world."
Speaking of McGregor's acting career after the stunt, he is due to feature in a remake of the 1980s action film Road House this year. He also recently finished filming the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, which is airing until August.
While he hasn’t fought since he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, he is due to take on Michael Chandler in his return bout later this year.
