Austen Lane

Austen Lane (born November 9, 1987) is a former American football defensive end and current mixed martial artist in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Murray State. He has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

Austen Lane
No. 92, 97
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1987-11-09) November 9, 1987
Evanston, Illinois
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Iola-Scandinavia (WI)
College:Murray State
NFL Draft:2010 / Round: 5 / Pick: 153
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • AP third-team All-America honors (2008)
  • AP first-team All-America honors (2009)
  • OVC Defensive Player of the Year (2009)
  • 2× First-team All-OVC honors (2008, 2009)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:66
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:0
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Lane grew up in Iola, Wisconsin.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3]

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
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 5+3⁄4 in
(1.97 m)		 276 lb
(125 kg)		 33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m)		 10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.58 s1.51 s2.61 s4.07 s6.70 s35 in
(0.89 m)		10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		24 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Murray State Pro Day.[4][5][6]

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.[7]

Lane was projected to be drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[8]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Lane was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round (153rd overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.[9] He was reunited with his college coach Matt Griffin, who had previously been hired by the Jaguars as an offensive assistant.[10] 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.[11]

As a rookie, Lane started nine games for the Jaguars.

He was released on June 13, 2013. He wrote about the experience on Sports Illustrated's website.[12]

Kansas City Chiefs

He was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on June 14, 2013.[12]

Detroit Lions

Lane was signed by the Detroit Lions on November 5, 2013,[13] but was cut on November 27.[14]

Chicago Bears

Lane was signed by the Chicago Bears on February 17, 2014,[15] but was released on August 30.[16] He re-signed in December 2014.

Retirement

On August 3, 2015, Lane announced his retirement.[17]

Mixed martial arts career
Austen Lane
Height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight243 lb (110 kg; 17 st 5 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight[18]
Fighting out ofJacksonville, Florida, United States
TeamBulldog Boxing, 10th Planet Jacksonville
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[19]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins12
By knockout11
By submission1
Losses4
By knockout4
No contests1
Amateur record
Total5
Wins5
By knockout5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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.[20] 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.[21] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[22]

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.[23]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Lane was scheduled to face Junior Tafa on February 11, 2023 at UFC 284.[24] However, he withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons.[25]

Lane faced Justin Tafa on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria.[26] Less than thirty seconds into the bout, Lane accidentally eyepoked Tafa who was unable to continue, resulting in a no contest.[27] The pair had a rematch on September 10, 2023 at UFC 293.[28] Lane lost the fight via knockout in round one.[29]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Fury Fighting Championship
    • FFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • Combat Night
    • CN Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • Warfare MMA
    • Warfare FC Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
17 matches 12 wins 4 losses
By knockout 11 4
By submission 1 0
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–4 (1) Justin Tafa KO (punches) UFC 293 September 10, 2023 1 1:22 Sydney, Australia
NC 12–3 (1) Justin Tafa NC (accidental eye poke) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria June 24, 2023 1 0:29 Jacksonville, Florida, United States Accidental eye poke rendered Tafa unable to continue.
Win 12–3 Richard Jacobi TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 55 September 20, 2022 1 4:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–3 Eric Lunsford TKO (knee injury) Fury FC 58 February 27, 2022 1 1:39 Dallas, Texas, United States Defended the FFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 10–3 Juan Adams TKO (punches) Fury FC 54 November 21, 2021 4 0:43 Houston, Texas, United States Won the FFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 9–3 Rashaun Jackson KO (punch) Combat Night: Clash of the Titans 5 July 24, 2021 1 0:31 Orlando, Florida, United States Won the vacant CN Heavyweight Championship.
Win 8–3 Brad Taylor Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat Night Pro 20 March 13, 2021 1 2:35 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 7–3 Tebaris Gordon TKO (punches) Warfare MMA 19 September 12, 2020 1 2:22 North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Won the Warfare FC Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 6–3 Vernon Lewis TKO (punches) LFA 83 March 6, 2020 1 4:10 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 6–2 Cameron Graham TKO (punches) Combat Night Pro 14 July 20, 2019 2 1:25 Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Win 5–2 Brad Taylor KO (punches) Combat Night Pro 13 March 16, 2019 1 3:07 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Loss 4–2 Frank Tate TKO (punches) Island Fights 50 September 29, 2018 1 2:41 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Loss 4–1 Greg Hardy TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 9 June 12, 2018 1 0:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Benjamin Rowland TKO (doctor stoppage) Warfare MMA 18 March 10, 2018 1 3:53 North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
Win 3–0 Justin Thornton TKO (punches) Battle at the Beach 3 November 18, 2017 1 1:39 Jekyll Island, Georgia, United States
Win 2–0 Johnathan Miller KO (punch) Combat Night 72: Pro 2 July 29, 2017 1 0:20 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 John Darling TKO (punches) Combat Night 72: Pro 2 April 1, 2017 1 0:14 Sarasota, Florida, United States Heavyweight debut.

Personal life

In 2011, Lane was featured on the cover of Eastbay, the popular sporting goods catalog.[30]

Lane gained notoriety in June 2012 after posting a fake workout routine on Twitter.[31]

Lane wrote some columns for Monday Morning Quarterback on the website of Sports Illustrated.[12][32]

References
  1. Austen Lane — the other guy in the Greg Hardy fight — is no joke - MMA Fighting Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  2. "#92 Austen Lane Bio - jaguars.com". Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  3. "NFL Draft 2020 - Latest Draft News and Predictions - CBSSports.com". Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  4. "Austen Lane Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  5. "Bleacher Report.com". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  6. "2010 NFL Draft Scout Austen Lane College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  7. "Iola grad Austen Lane scores touchdown in Under Armour Senior Bowl - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports". Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  8. "Austen Lane, DS #8 DE, Murray State". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  9. "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  10. "1/29 Matt Griffin raw interview following Jacksonville Jaguars hiring | WPSD Local 6 - News, Sports, Weather - Paducah KY | Web Exclusive". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  11. "Jaguars Sign Rookie Defensive End Austen Lane". jaguars.com. July 14, 2010. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  12. Lane, Austen (June 13, 2013). "What It's Like to Get Whacked". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  13. Birkett, Dave (November 5, 2013). "With Ziggy Ansah in a walking boot, Detroit Lions sign former Jaguars DE Austen Lane". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  14. Wilson, Aaron (November 27, 2013). "Lions cut Austen Lane, promote Rodney Austin". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  15. Campbell, Rich (February 17, 2014). "Bears sign former Jaguars DE Lane". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  16. Mayer, Larry (August 30, 2014). "Bears cut 17 to reach 53-man limit". Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  17. Austen Lane [@A_Train_92] (August 3, 2015). "Retirement" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. "Austen Lane | MMA Fighter Page".
  19. "Austen Lane | UFC". UFC.com. September 14, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  20. Reddick, Jay (July 20, 2017). "Former Jaguars lineman Austen Lane making waves in MMA". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  21. "Video: Are NFL vets Austen Lane, Greg Hardy UFC-ready? Sneak peek ahead of Contender Series clash". MMAJunkie.com. June 12, 2018.
  22. "Greg Hardy gets UFC deal after 57-second KO in pro MMA debut". ESPN.com. June 13, 2018.
  23. "Dana White's Contender Series 55 results: 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. among five to get contracts". MMA Junkie. September 20, 2022.
  24. "Junior Tafa firma contrato con UFC, enfrenta a Austen Lane en UFC 284". MMA.uno , #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). January 16, 2023. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  25. Steve Duncan (January 20, 2023). "Change of plans: Junior Tafa will face Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 284". mma.uno. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023. (in Spanish)
  26. Dey, Saurav (May 3, 2023). "Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa added to UFC Jacksonville card in June". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  27. Bitter, Shawn (June 24, 2023). "UFC Jacksonville: Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa Falls Apart Early Due to Eye Poke, Ruled No Contest". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  28. "UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/10-7/16): Charles Jourdain Returns Against Ricardo Ramos, Three Cancellations". MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  29. Anderson, Jay (September 9, 2023). "UFC 293: Another Eye Poke, but Justin Tafa Stops Austen Lane Early in Rematch". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  30. "Athlete Resource Center - Austen Lane | Eastbay". Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  31. "NFL Football - News, Scores, Stats, Standings, and Rumors - National Football League".
  32. Birkett, Dave (November 6, 2013). "Austen Lane spent two months on MMA, got into 'The Walking Dead' before Detroit Lions signed him". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
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