Conor McGregor offers update on Miami Heat mascot after punching incident
The NBA team’s mascot was reportedly hospitalised last week after being struck twice by McGregor at a game
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Conor McGregor has insisted that his incident with the Miami Heat mascot last week was ‘all a skit’, after ‘Burnie’ was reportedly hospitalised by the UFC star’s punches.
During Game 4 of the NBA finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets, McGregor took to the court and punched the home team’s mascot, before striking him again when he was prone on the court. The incident was seemingly a skit, though many observers believed it had gone beyond that when the mascot was reportedly taken to hospital.
McGregor, however, said on Live with Kelly and Mark on Wednesday (14 June): “That 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 afterwards, we hugged it out, and everything was great.
“It blew up. I recently made my acting debut, you know? I’m not a bad actor.”
The Irishman, 34, is due to feature in a remake of the 1980s action film Road House this year.
McGregor also recently finished filming the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, which is airing until August. On the UFC television show, the former champion is coaching a team of mixed martial artists against a team led by Michael Chandler, whom McGregor is due to fight in the Octagon later this year.
Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments