Austen Lane Explained

Austen Lane
Number:92, 97
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:November 9, 1987
Birth Place:Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:265
High School:Iola-Scandinavia (WI)
College:Murray State
Draftyear:2010
Draftround:5
Draftpick:153
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • OVC Defensive Player of the Year (2009)
  • First-team All-American (2009)
  • Third-team All-American (2008)
  • 2× First-team All-OVC (2008, 2009)
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:66
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:3.0
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:1
Pfr:LaneAu99

Austen Lane (born November 9, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist and former football defensive end currently competing in the 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 at Murray State. He was also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

Early life

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

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.[4]

Lane was projected to be drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[5]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Lane was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round (153rd overall) in the 2010 NFL draft.[6] He was reunited with his college coach Matt Griffin, who had previously been hired by the Jaguars as an offensive assistant.[7] 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.[8]

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

Kansas City Chiefs

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

Detroit Lions

Lane was signed by the Detroit Lions on November 5, 2013,[9] but was cut on November 27.[10]

Chicago Bears

Lane was signed by the Chicago Bears on February 17, 2014,[11] but was released on August 30.[12] He re-signed in December 2014.

Retirement

On August 3, 2015, Lane announced his retirement.[13]

Mixed martial arts career

Austen Lane
Height:6 ft 6 in
Weight:243 lb
Weight Class:Heavyweight[14]
Fighting Out Of:Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Team:Bulldog Boxing, 10th Planet Jacksonville
Rank:Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[15]
Years Active:2017–present
Am Win:5
Am Kowin:5
Mma Kowin:11
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Koloss:5
Mma Nc:1
Sherdog:249439

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.[16] 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.[17] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[18]

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.[19]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Lane was scheduled to face Junior Tafa on February 11, 2023 at UFC 284.[20] However, he withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons.[21]

Lane faced Justin Tafa on June 24, 2023 at .[22] Less than thirty seconds into the bout, Lane eyepoked Tafa who was unable to continue, resulting in a no contest.[23] The pair had a rematch on September 10, 2023 at UFC 293.[24] Lane lost the fight via knockout in round one.[25]

Lane faced Jhonata Diniz on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55.[26] He lost the fight by knockout in the second round.[27]

Lane is scheduled to face Robelis Despaigne on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center||Jhonata Diniz|KO (punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|2:12|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Loss|align=center||Justin Tafa|KO (punches)|UFC 293||align=center|1|align=center|1:22|Sydney, Australia||-|NC|align=center|12–3 (1)|Justin Tafa|NC (accidental eye poke)|||align=center|1|align=center|0:29|Jacksonville, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center|12–3| Richard Jacobi| TKO (punches)| Dana White's Contender Series 55| | align=center|1| align=center|4:34| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–3|Eric Lunsford|TKO (knee injury)|Fury FC 58||align=center|1|align=center|1:39|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–3|Juan Adams|TKO (punches)|Fury FC 54||align=center|4|align=center|0:43|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–3|Rashaun Jackson|KO (punch)|Combat Night: Clash of the Titans 5||align=center|1|align=center|0:31|Orlando, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–3|Brad Taylor|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Combat Night Pro 20||align=center|1|align=center|2:35|Orlando, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–3|Tebaris Gordon|TKO (punches)|Warfare MMA 19||align=center|1|align=center|2:22|North Charleston, South Carolina, United States||-|Loss|align=center|6–3|Vernon Lewis|TKO (punches)|LFA 83||align=center|1|align=center|4:10|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–2|Cameron Graham|TKO (punches)|Combat Night Pro 14||align=center|2|align=center|1:25|Tallahassee, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–2|Brad Taylor|KO (punches)|Combat Night Pro 13||align=center|1|align=center|3:07|Pensacola, Florida, United States||-|Loss|align=center|4–2|Frank Tate|TKO (punches)|Island Fights 50||align=center|1|align=center|2:41|Pensacola, Florida, United States||-|Loss|align=center|4–1|Greg Hardy|TKO (punches)|Dana White's Contender Series 9||align=center|1|align=center|0:57|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Benjamin Rowland |TKO (doctor stoppage)|Warfare MMA 18 ||align=center|1|align=center|3:53|North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Justin Thornton |TKO (punches)|Battle at the Beach 3 ||align=center|1|align=center|1:39|Jekyll Island, Georgia, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Johnathan Miller |KO (punch)|Combat Night 72: Pro 2 ||align=center|1|align=center|0:20|Orlando, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|John Darling |TKO (punches) |Combat Night 72: Pro 2 ||align=center|1|align=center|0:14|Sarasota, Florida, United States||}

Personal life

In 2011, Lane was featured on the cover of Eastbay, the popular sporting goods catalog.[29]

Lane gained notoriety in June 2012 after posting a fake workout routine on Twitter.[30]

Lane wrote some columns for Monday Morning Quarterback on the website of Sports Illustrated.[31] [32]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/6/12/17373018/ex-nfl-player-austen-lane-is-ready-to-make-his-name-in-a-second-sport-and-at-greg-hardys-expense Austen Lane — the other guy in the Greg Hardy fight — is no joke - MMA Fighting
  2. Web site: #92 Austen Lane Bio - jaguars.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100428185927/http://www.jaguars.com/Team/Player.aspx?id=2951 . April 28, 2010 . July 14, 2010.
  3. Web site: NFL Draft 2020 - Latest Draft News and Predictions - CBSSports.com . August 2, 2010 . June 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614212554/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft// . dead .
  4. Web site: Iola grad Austen Lane scores touchdown in Under Armour Senior Bowl - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120320005024/http://www.waow.com/story/11907581/iola-grad-austen-lane-scores-touchdown-in-under-armour-senior-bowl?redirected=true%7CWAOW . March 20, 2012 . October 6, 2019.
  5. Web site: Austen Lane, DS #8 DE, Murray State . April 17, 2010 . NFLDraftScout.com.
  6. Web site: 2010 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-05-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  7. Web site: 1/29 Matt Griffin raw interview following Jacksonville Jaguars hiring | WPSD Local 6 - News, Sports, Weather - Paducah KY | Web Exclusive . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121616/http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/sports/web-exclusive/83077907.html . July 18, 2011 . April 29, 2010.
  8. News: July 14, 2010 . Jaguars Sign Rookie Defensive End Austen Lane . jaguars.com . dead . July 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101216094723/http://jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=9063 . December 16, 2010.
  9. News: Birkett . Dave . November 5, 2013 . With Ziggy Ansah in a walking boot, Detroit Lions sign former Jaguars DE Austen Lane . . November 6, 2013.
  10. News: Wilson . Aaron . November 27, 2013 . Lions cut Austen Lane, promote Rodney Austin . . dead . December 25, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131227105257/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lions-cut-austen-lane-promote-235600973--nfl.html . December 27, 2013.
  11. News: Campbell . Rich . February 17, 2014 . Bears sign former Jaguars DE Lane . . February 17, 2014.
  12. News: Mayer . Larry . August 30, 2014 . Bears cut 17 to reach 53-man limit . dead . September 15, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140902065824/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-cut-17-to-reach-53-man-limit/0fcb0818-9155-49da-8ba5-93461a903109 . September 2, 2014.
  13. 628246894930735104 . A_Train_92 . Retirement . Austen Lane . August 3, 2015.
  14. Web site: Austen Lane | MMA Fighter Page .
  15. Web site: Austen Lane UFC. UFC.com. September 14, 2018 . June 25, 2023.
  16. News: Reddick . Jay . July 20, 2017 . Former Jaguars lineman Austen Lane making waves in MMA . . June 13, 2018.
  17. Web site: Video: Are NFL vets Austen Lane, Greg Hardy UFC-ready? Sneak peek ahead of Contender Series clash . MMAJunkie.com. June 12, 2018 .
  18. Web site: Greg Hardy gets UFC deal after 57-second KO in pro MMA debut . ESPN.com. June 13, 2018 .
  19. News: Dana White's Contender Series 55 results: 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. among five to get contracts . MMA Junkie . 20 September 2022.
  20. Web site: 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. . 16 January 2023 . es . 16 January 2023 . January 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116172501/https://mma.uno/junior-tafa-firma-contrato-con-ufc-enfrenta-a-austen-lane-en-ufc-284/ . dead .
  21. Web site: Change of plans: Junior Tafa will face Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 284. mma.uno. Steve Duncan. 2023-01-20. 2023-01-20. January 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230128235252/https://mma.uno/cambio-de-planes-junior-tafa-enfrentara-a-waldo-cortes-acosta-en-ufc-284/. dead.
  22. Web site: Dey . Saurav . 2023-05-03 . Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa added to UFC Jacksonville card in June . 2023-05-05 . www.sportskeeda.com . en-us.
  23. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . 2023-06-24 . UFC Jacksonville: Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa Falls Apart Early Due to Eye Poke, Ruled No Contest . 2023-06-25 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  24. News: UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/10-7/16): Charles Jourdain Returns Against Ricardo Ramos, Three Cancellations . en-us . MMA News UFC News, Results & Interviews . 2023-08-18.
  25. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-09-09 . UFC 293: Another Eye Poke, but Justin Tafa Stops Austen Lane Early in Rematch . 2023-09-10 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  26. Web site: Sherdog.com . Jhonata Diniz Set for Octagon Debut Against Austen Lane at UFC Event on April 27 . 2024-02-03 . Sherdog . en.
  27. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-04-28 . Jhonata Diniz Completes Second-Round Comeback with KO of Austen Lane at UFC Vegas 91 . 2024-04-28 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  28. Web site: Robelis Despaigne returns from first UFC defeat, battles Austen Lane. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2024-07-29. 2024-07-29.
  29. Web site: Athlete Resource Center - Austen Lane | Eastbay . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110817092332/http://www.eastbay.com/austenlane/ . August 17, 2011 . August 31, 2011.
  30. Web site: NFL Football - News, Scores, Stats, Standings, and Rumors - National Football League .
  31. News: Lane . Austen . June 13, 2013 . What It's Like to Get Whacked . Sports Illustrated . November 6, 2013.
  32. News: 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 . November 6, 2013.