Austen Douglas Lane is an American mixed martial artist and former professional football player who currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Lane was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After retiring from football in 2015, Lane transitioned to mixed martial arts, making his professional MMA debut in 2017.
You can follow Austen Lane’s biography, personal details, career overview, net worth, fight purses, earnings, records, achievements, and more here.
Austen Lane’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Austen Douglas Lane |
| Nickname | “The Beast” |
| Birth Date | November 9, 1987 |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Weight | 251 lbs (113.85 kg) |
| Birthplace | Iola, Wisconsin, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| College | Murray State University |
| Degree | Bachelor’s in Journalism / Mass Communication |
| Turned Professional | 2017 |
| Current Net Worth | $1 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
Austen Douglas Lane was born on November 9, 1987, in Iola, Wisconsin. Lane’s parents, Mark and Julie Maher played a significant role in nurturing his talent.
His early involvement in athletics led him to become a standout player at Iola-Scandinavia High School. Lane’s impressive high school career laid the foundation for his future success in college football at Murray State University.
Football Career
Austen Lane’s football career began when he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, marking a significant milestone after an impressive collegiate career at Murray State University.
During his time at Murray State, Lane set school records with 29 sacks and 55 tackles for loss, which earned him recognition as a consensus FCS All-American and the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
He played 3 seasons with the Jaguars from 2010 to 2012, appearing in a total of 11 games and recording 20 tackles, including one sack.
After his tenure with the Jaguars, Lane had brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. He ultimately retired from professional football in 2015.
Boxing Career
Lane made his professional MMA debut in April 2017. He amassed an early record of four wins without losses, all by knockout.
After facing setbacks against notable opponents like Greg Hardy at Dana White’s Contender Series, he returned to regional circuits to refine his skills.
In September 2022, Lane secured a UFC contract after winning another bout on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Wife
Austen Lane is married to Cody Lane, and the couple resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Austen and Cody were married in September 2017. They have a son named Ronin, who is 3 years old.
Austen Lane’s Net Worth Details
Austen Lane’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025. This figure reflects not only his earnings from fights but also potential endorsements and investments stemming from his dual-sport career.
Salary (Football)
| Team | Contract Year | Salary | Signing Bonus | Total Earnings |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2010-2013 | $1,974,000 | $184,190 | $1,974,000 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2013 | $480,000 | – | $480,000 |
| Detroit Lions | 2014 | $148,235 | – | $148,235 |
| Chicago Bears | 2014 | $42,941 | – | $42,941 |
| Career Total | $2,645,176 | $2,645,176 |
Fight Purses (Boxing)
| Fight | Purse |
| UFC Debut vs. Greg Hardy | $10,000 |
| UFC Fight Night vs. Justin Tafa | $15,000 |
| UFC Fight Night vs. Robelis Despaigne | $20,000 |
Career Earnings
Austen Lane was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. His initial contract with the Jaguars was a four-year deal worth $2.124 million, which included a signing bonus of $184,196.
During his NFL career, Lane also signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears worth $1.475 million, with an average annual salary of $737,500.
In total, Lane’s earnings from his NFL career amount to approximately $2.372 million through 2024, accounting for his contracts with multiple teams over 4 seasons.
After transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2017, Lane began to establish himself in a new sport. His fight purses have varied based on the events and opponents he has faced.
Reports indicate that his purses for UFC fights range from $10,000 to $20,000 per match, depending on factors such as experience and the significance of the bout.
Football Stats
| Year | Team | Games Played (GP) | Games Started (GS) | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles (FF) | Interceptions (INT) |
| 2010 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 11 | 7 | 32 | 22 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Detroit Lions | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Chicago Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Totals | 22 | 8 | 50 | 31 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Boxing Records
| Statistic | Record |
| Total Fights | 13 |
| Wins | 11 |
| Losses | 2 |
| No Contests | 1 |
| Wins by KO | 9 |
| Wins by Submission | 1 |
Achievements
- Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars (2010 NFL Draft)
- FFC Heavyweight Champion
- CN Heavyweight Champion
- Warfare FC Heavyweight Champion
- Notable victories against former UFC fighters
FAQs
1. Who is Austen Lane?
Austen Lane is a professional mixed martial artist and former NFL defensive end who currently competes in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Born on November 9, 1987, in Evanston, Illinois, he transitioned from professional football to MMA after retiring from the NFL in 2015.
2. What was Lane’s NFL career like?
Lane was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played for multiple teams including the Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears, appearing in 30 games and recording 66 tackles during his five-season NFL career.
3. What are Lane’s notable achievements in college football?
At Murray State University, Lane was a standout defensive end. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, earned First-Team All-America honors, and set school records with 29 career sacks and 53.5 tackles for loss.
4. When did Lane start his MMA career?
Lane made his professional MMA debut in April 2017. He initially fought in regional circuits, winning his first four fights via first-round knockout before getting an opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022.
5. What is Lane’s current MMA record?
As of October 2024, Lane has a professional MMA record of 13 wins, 5 losses, and 0 draws. He has won 11 fights by knockout and 1 by submission, with all of his losses coming by knockout.
