Miami (AP) — The NBA and Miami Heat are investigating an allegation that former UFC champion Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman inside an arena bathroom after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, said her client provided Miami police with the clothes she was wearing that night and that a report was filed. Miami police did not respond when asked Thursday night if they were investigating.
McGregor’s lawyer said the fighter denied any wrongdoing. “Mr. MacGregor will not be intimidated,” said attorney Barbara Lanis.
In letters sent to the NBA and representatives for the Heat and McGregor, Mitchell detailed her client’s allegations and said the client would discuss “reasonable settlement offers” before June 12 or proceed with litigation.
“We are aware of these allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” a statement from Heat read. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comments.
The NBA issued a similar statement, saying it was working with the Heat to gather information.
The alleged incident occurred on the same night that McGregor knocked down the Heat’s mascot in a mid-game segment that went wrong.
Bernie — and more specifically, the man dressed as Bernie — briefly sought medical attention Friday night after being punched twice by McGregor during a stoppage in the third quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Between the Heat and Denver Nuggets.
The team said the employee, who was not identified, received pain medication and was recovering.
McGregor was there as a gimmick for painkiller spray – and was booed by many of the Miami crowd before it even got underway. The Flame Amulet wore oversized boxing gloves and a cloak similar to what a fighter would wear when entering the ring for a match. McGregor hit Burnie with a left hook, knocking him down, then punched the mascot again after he hit the floor.
McGregor then attempted to “spray” the mascot with a pain-relieving product, while several members of the Heat’s in-game promotional team dragged Bernie off the field.
McGregor has not fought since injuring his left leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His most recent win came in January 2020.
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