Former NFL Star Loses UFC Fight by Submission, Career in Jeopardy
The UFC's heavyweight division is in a dire state, plagued by a lack of depth, aging veterans, and few rising stars capable of reinvigorating the weight class. Even before Jon Jones' retirement, matchmakers have been struggling to put together compelling matchups in the division, often recycling the same names from the shallow talent pool.
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The division's struggles were on full display at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira in Nashville, where former NFL defensive end Austen Lane faced off against Petrino in a fight that did little to inspire confidence in the future of the weight class.
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Lane, a latecomer to MMA after a journeyman NFL career, was submitted in the first round by Petrino. This latest loss was another unfortunate performance in a UFC run that has yielded just one win in six appearances.
Watch the submission here:
Though he has not lost three consecutive fights, Lane may soon find himself on the chopping block given his record.
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A former NFL player, Lane transitioned to MMA in 2017 after retiring from football and entered the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series with hopes of leveraging his athleticism into success. However, his Octagon career has been marked by inconsistency, with a record of one win, four losses, and one "no contest" before he fought Petrino.
Prior to this loss, Lane was KO'd by Mario Pinto in devastating fashion.
His lone UFC victory came against Robelis Despaigne in October 2024, a decision win that showcased his grappling but did little to prove his long-term viability in the promotion.
Against Petrino, Lane was outmatched from the start, succumbing to a rear-naked choke at 4:16 of the first round, a result that further cements his status as a fringe heavyweight.
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At 37 years old, Lane's window for a UFC resurgence is closing fast. His athletic background initially generated interest, but his inability to translate that into consistent success has left him vulnerable to release
This loss will likely raise serious questions for the UFC brass about whether they will keep him around much longer.
Related: Ex-UFC Fighter and Former NFL Athlete Faces New Domestic Violence Charges
Related: Decision Looms on Ex-NFL Star's UFC Release After KO Loss
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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