UFC president Dana White has responded after Conor McGregor punched a Miami Heat mascot in a reported stunt.
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion appeared at half-time during an NBA Finals to promote his cryotherapy pain relief spray.
Mascot ‘Burnie’ then approached wearing oversized boxing gloves and, as part of the stunt, the 34-year-old Irishman hit the unnamed man inside the costume.
The character was dragged away after McGregor landed a second punch while ‘Burnie’ was on the ground.
Reports claim the individual required hospital treatment and was given pain medication, though has since returned home.
The incident was somewhat similar to the one which saw former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder punch a man inside a mascot costume in 2018.
In response to the McGregor incident, White said: “What’s up with mascots wanting to get punched in the face by professional fighters? What do you expect?
"What are those mascot things made out of? Unless you’re like the Golden Knights mascot... I’m assuming it’s a metal helmet... I wouldn’t have professional fighters punch me in the face if I was a mascot.
"It doesn’t seem like the brightest thing in the world."
