Former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane will make his UFC debut in front of many of the same fans who cheered for him during his NFL career.
Lane revealed that his first fight in the premier mixed martial arts organization will happen on June 24 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena against veteran Justin Tafa.
The Jaguars drafted Lane in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft and he spent three seasons with the team, recording three sacks and 66 tackles during his time in Jacksonville. He later had brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears before retiring and transitioning into a career in MMA.
In September 2022, Lane knocked out Richard Jacobi at Dana White’s Contender Series to improve his record to 12-3 as a pro and earn a contract with the UFC. While he was due to make his debut in February against Junior Tafa, Lane pulled out of the fight because of a bicep injury.
Instead Lane will face the elder Tafa brother, who is 6-3 as a pro and 3-3 in the UFC. Justin Tafa won each of his last two fights by first round knockout.
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