Austen Lane

Austen Douglas Lane (born November 9, 1987) is a retired American mixed martial artist and former professional football defensive end who last competed in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for the Murray State Racers. He was also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

Early life Lane grew up in Iola, Wisconsin.

Lane made 14.5 sacks on defense and caught 31 passes for 717 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense his senior year at Iola-Scandinavia High School. He earned All-conference and All-region honors for defense and offense and was selected All-state as a defensive end and honorable mention All-state as a wide receiver. Additionally, he had five blocked punts, 77 solo tackles, 61 assisted tackles and four fumble recoveries his senior year. He also earned two letters as a member of the Thunderbirds' basketball team and was named Second-team All-conference in 2004–05.

College career Lane started 40 of 43 games at Murray State of the Football Championship Subdivision. He holds school records with 29 sacks and 55 tackles for loss. Following his senior year, he was named as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in FCS football. He was named as a FCS first-team All-American by the Associated Press and was selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2009 Lane was second in the FCS with 11.0 sacks and third in the FCS with 19.5 tackles-for-loss after leading the OVC in sacks and TFL. He also ended the year with intercepting a pass and returning it 21 yards for a touchdown in a victory over Austin Peay. For the season in 11 games, he had 64 total tackles, 32 solo stops, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 1 interception for 21 yards and 1 touchdown, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 8 quarterback hurries, 2 pass breakups.

The previous season he played in all 12 games and recorded 63 tackles, ranked second in the country with 22 tackles-for-loss and set MSU single-season record with 12 sacks. In 2007 Lane started 10 games at defensive end and led all defensive linemen with 48 stops, including 28 solo stops. In 2006 as a true freshman he played in 10 games, making 34 tackles, including 11 solo stops. He also had 3.5 tackles for a loss, finished with 2.5 sacks and had one pass break-up and blocked two kicks.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Following his senior season at Murray State, Lane was invited to participate in the 2010 Senior Bowl as a member of the North roster. He scored a touchdown off a fumble recovery in the second quarter and the North squad went on to win the game over the South 31–13.

Lane was projected to be drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars Lane was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round (153rd overall) in the 2010 NFL draft. He was reunited with his college coach Matt Griffin, who had previously been hired by the Jaguars as an offensive assistant. Lane was signed to a contract on July 14, 2010. The deal was for four-years and $1.974 million, including a $184,190 signing bonus.

He was released on June 13, 2013. He wrote about the experience on Sports Illustrateds website. but was cut on November 27.

Chicago Bears Lane was signed by the Chicago Bears on February 17, 2014, but was released on August 30. He re-signed in December 2014.

Retirement On August 3, 2015, Lane announced his retirement.

Mixed martial arts career

Amateur career In November 2015, Lane made his amateur MMA debut, in which he defeated Micah Cross by knockout in the first round. Over the next year, Lane increased his amateur MMA record to 5 wins against no losses with all of his wins coming via knockout.

Professional career Lane made his professional MMA debut in April 2017. He won his debut via knockout in the first round. Over the following year and into 2018, Lane fought three more times and improved his professional MMA record to 4 wins against no losses with again all of his wins coming via knockout.

In April 2018, it was announced that Lane would face fellow former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy at Dana White's Contender Series 9 on June 12. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Lane returned to the regional MMA circuit to gain more experience, amassing a record of 7 wins and 2 losses over the next four years. This earned him a second shot on Dana White's Contender Series in 2022. He faced Richard Jacobi on September 20, 2022. He won the fight via TKO in the first round and was awarded a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Lane was scheduled to face Junior Tafa on February 11, 2023 at UFC 284. However, he withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons.

Lane faced Justin Tafa on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. Less than thirty seconds into the bout, Lane eyepoked Tafa who was unable to continue, resulting in a no contest. The pair had a rematch on September 10, 2023 at UFC 293. Lane lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Lane faced Jhonata Diniz on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55. He lost the fight by knockout in the second round.

Lane faced Robelis Despaigne on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Lane faced promotional newcomer Mário Pinto on March 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 253. He lost the fight by knockout in the second round.

Lane faced Vitor Petrino on July 12, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 70. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Lane faced Iwo Baraniewski on March 21, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 270, in his light heavyweight debut. He lost the fight by knockout early in the first round.

On May 26, 2026, it was reported that Lane retired from MMA and was subsequently removed from the UFC roster.

Personal life In 2011, Lane was featured on the cover of Eastbay, the popular sporting goods catalog.

Lane wrote some columns for Monday Morning Quarterback on the website of Sports Illustrated.

Championships and accomplishmentsFury Fighting ChampionshipFFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)Combat NightCN Heavyweight Championship (One time)Warfare MMA' Warfare FC Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Iwo Baraniewski TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs. Murphy

London, England Loss

Vitor Petrino Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Teixeira

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Mário Pinto KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Robelis Despaigne Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jhonata Diniz KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Justin Tafa KO (punches) UFC 293

Sydney, Australia NC

Justin Tafa NC (accidental eye poke) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Richard Jacobi TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 55

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eric Lunsford TKO (knee injury) Fury FC 58

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Juan Adams TKO (punches) Fury FC 54

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Rashaun Jackson KO (punch) Combat Night: Clash of the Titans 5

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Brad Taylor Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat Night Pro 20

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Tebaris Gordon TKO (punches) Warfare MMA 19

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Loss

Vernon Lewis TKO (punches) LFA 83

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Cameron Graham TKO (punches) Combat Night Pro 14

Tallahassee, Florida, United States Win

Brad Taylor KO (punches) Combat Night Pro 13

Pensacola, Florida, United States Loss

Frank Tate TKO (punches) Island Fights 50

Pensacola, Florida, United States Loss

Greg Hardy TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 9

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Benjamin Rowland TKO (doctor stoppage) Warfare MMA 18

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Win

Justin Thornton TKO (punches) Combat Night: Battle at the Beach 3

Jekyll Island, Georgia, United States Win

Johnathan Miller KO (punch) Combat Night Pro 3

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

John Darling TKO (punches) Combat Night Pro 2

Sarasota, Florida, United States