Conor McGregor gets booed after 'ko'ing' basketball mascot

People are flocking to social media in shock after Conor McGregor 'KO'd the Heat mascot' at the NBA finals.

Game Four of the NBA Finals took place yesterday (Friday, 9 June), seeing Miami Heat take on the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets may've beat the Miami Heat 108-95, taking a 3-1 lead in the 2023 finals, but onlookers' attention ended up elsewhere when former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor walked onto the court.

In a break in play, McGregor took to the centre of the court to face Miami Heat mascot Burnie - one of the most popular mascots in the NBA.

In the video, the mixed martial artist and the seven foot six mascot proceed to dance around one another in the halfcourt circle with their fists up, before McGregor strikes out.

The 34-year-old lands a blow on Burnie - who falls straight to the floor - before carrying on, seemingly landing another punch to the mascot's head, before people come running over to intervene.

As Burnie is dragged away, McGregor sprays Tidl over the mascot - his new 'cryotherapy pain relief' spray.

"TIDL was developed to deliver pain relief directly at the source through new formulas and innovative dosage forms like never before. With soothing scents and plant-powered applications, TIDL products just make you feel better no matter what challenges lie ahead. No pain, no limits," the website states.

While it's a relief the 'KO' was probably all part of a publicity stunt, it doesn't make the punches landed on Burnie look any less painful and people have flooded to social media in shock over the footage.

One TikTok user wrote: "Yo he didn't need to take it that seriously."

"Bro it's a set-up you shouldn't take it so seriously," another argued.

A third user said: "Poor Bernie."

"This guy is a really strong person. The other one is Conor McGregor," another added.

And a final joked: "TheMascot is the only thing Conor can win against nowadays."

Well, given McGregor is now reportedly worth nearly a billion, it probably doesn't matter whether or not he could win against anyone other than Burnie anyway.

During an interview with Megan Olivi on The Ultimate Fighter Season 31 on the UFC's YouTube channel, the mixed martial artist said: "I'm at about 650 million all in. I would probably have to do my own little check of that, but yeah, I fancy my chances, I fancy my chances of getting up that list.

"So yeah, it's good."