Joe Burrow is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL currently. However, Burrow and his team are not having a good time this NFL season. The 26-year-old QB recently lost yet another game this season. However, it was his touchdown celebration during the game that grabbed eyeballs.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans recently locked horns at Paul Brown Stadium. After the game, it was CJ Stroud’s team that ended up winning by 30-27. Joe Burrow completed 27 out of his 40 passing attempts. He also got 2 TDs and 2 interceptions for 347 yards.
However, the 215 lb star couldn’t lead his team to victory. The Bengals were already having a terrible season, and with this loss, they are 5-4 now.
Joe Burrow with a nod to Poatan after his first TD of the day pic.twitter.com/cF1bXOibAa
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) November 12, 2023
One of the two touchdowns of Joe Burrow came when he connected with Bengals WR Trent Irwin. It was the celebration after Burrow’s 32-yard touchdown that got mixed reactions from fans. After the TD, the LSU star imitated UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira‘s famous bow and arrow taunt as a celebration. While some fans liked it, some fans weren’t happy as the Bengals lost the game in the end.
One fan wrote, “He’s a real UFC fan”. Another one wrote, “GOAT supporting GOAT”. One fan wrote, “Love to see it”. Another one commented, “This would’ve been cool if he won”. One fan wrote, “That’s fire”. Another one commented, “And then he lost to the Texans”. One fan wrote, “Shouldn’t that be taunting?”. Another one commented, “Bro this isn’t a nod to Alex, he just threw a dot”.
It’s worth noting that Pereira, also known as Poatan, won the UFC light heavyweight championship. The 36-year-old starfighter TKO’d Jiri Prochazka during the UFC 295 main event. It seems like Joe Burrow gave a tribute to Poatan during the game. However, fans are now waiting for the NFL star and the Bengals to return to winning ways.
Joe Burrow wanted to be a UFC fighter
Joe Burrow has become one of the most famous names in the NFL recently. Ever since his debut in 2020, the first-round pick of the Bengals has been impressive. However, if there’s one game that Burrow loves other than football, it’s UFC. In fact, only a few people know that the 6-foot-4 QB once considered becoming a UFC fighter.
As per reports, UFC was Burrow’s backup option if football hadn’t worked out. During his time at LSU, the Iowa-born player wanted to quit football out of frustration. Joe Burrow has reportedly even kept a close eye on renowned UFC champions. Born in December 1996, the QB even reportedly believed that he could become a UFC heavyweight champion.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase also once talked about the Madden 24 star’s love for UFC. Chase revealed that Joe Burrow even tried some UFC moves on him in the locker room. The 23-year-old wide receiver mentioned how Burrow was watching UFC when he first met the QB.
“He tryin’ flying kicks on me sometimes… I remember our first time hangin’ out, he had UFC on… He didn’t change it, didn’t ask what I wanted to watch. He didn’t care,” he said.
All this clearly shows that UFC is more than just a time-pass sport for Joe Burrow. The quarterback really is passionate about the game. However, he didn’t enter the UFC world as he got a successful career in the NFL with the Bengals. Now, he has become the inspiration for many other young footballers.