Conor McGregor is finally making amends with NBA mascots by being quite nice to them for a change. After the major controversy featuring the Miami Heat’s mascot ‘Burnie’ in 2023, ‘The Notorious’ shared a video on his Instagram story where he can be seen with the ‘Jazz Bear’, the mascot of Utah Jazz, during their recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Taking to his Instagram to share the clip of the mascot gifting him a Utah Jazz jersey, the Irishman wrote in the caption, “See! I am nice to mascots!” To give fans further relief, he also refused to have a little one-on-one with the mascot after Jazz Bear put his hands up in a boxing pose, challenging the Irishman to a fight. Simply laughing at the gesture, Conor McGregor slowly backed away. Had the former UFC double champion accepted the challenge, it would’ve surely given fans PTSD from the infamous 2023 incident that made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

For the unaware, back in 2023, one of the halftime shows during Game 4 of the NBA finals spiraled out of control for the American League, all thanks to ‘The Notorious’. Conor McGregor stepped on the court to promote a painkiller spray from TIDL Sport, the Irishman’s aerosol company. Miami Heat were already down to the Denver Nuggets at halftime, and McGregor’s entrance changed the atmosphere at the Kaseya Center.

The fighter took his position in the organization’s planned gag very seriously. McGregor was provoked by Burnie, the Heat’s mascot, who approached him wearing gloves and a boxer’s robe. Conor McGregor then stepped onto the court, confronting Burnie and smacking him with a left hook, flooring him. The Irishman followed it up by striking him on the ground. Given the gravity of the situation, several people intervened to prevent the Irishman from continuing his “fight” with the mascot. The Florida fans booed McGregor, who was forced to leave the pavilion.

According to The Athletic, the man behind the Burnie costume was taken to a nearby hospital after being hit twice in the face by McGregor. The physicians gave him some pain medication and sent him home. After the incident, however, many people felt that the Irishman went too far in what should have been nothing more than a funny moment. But it would be far from the truth if we told you that his recent appearance also went without any controversy, irrespective of what it looks like on his Instagram story.

Conor McGregor and Brook Lopez star in a viral scene during NBA game

Even though he hasn’t fought in the UFC since July 2021, Conor McGregor continues to make headlines wherever he goes. While attending the aforementioned NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Utah Jazz, the Irish star was involved in an unusual incident that quickly went viral on the internet, both among basketball and combat sports fans. With the game underway, the former UFC double champion went casually down the court in front of the Milwaukee Bucks bench. McGregor came to a halt, turned around, and started walking toward Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez.

Impressed by the height of the seated NBA star, the Irish striker urged the 2.16m monster to stand up, all of which was captured on official broadcast cameras as the match progressed. Speaking about the incident to reporters after the game, Lopez revealed, “[Conor McGregor] asked me how tall I was. I let him know. He asked me to stand up, and I did. And I knew at that point once I got up, I had to size him up. I had to do a little something. I’ve seen the face-offs before, so I knew I had to do my part.”

He further added, “Now, if something going to happen, maybe Dame (Damian Lillard) can be my promoter, or Dame can be my manager or whatever. Teach me to fight because I got nothing. I’m really going to rely on Dame for that.” Well, it seems like McGregor has even left the player as confused as his fans. But there is no denying that the man can create headlines wherever he goes. What did you think of his latest NBA appearance? Let us know in the comments.