Austen Lane has admitted that he is unsure about his next move after being knocked out for the fourth time in six fights.
The former football star had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears before making his switch into MMA. After five years, he earned himself a shot at the big leagues with a win on Dana White’s Contender Series.
CHANGE MY MIND: Michael ‘Venom’ Page would be better off outside of the UFC 🔊
Michael 'Venom' Page salutes the crowd during the UFC Saudi Arabia open workouts
Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
However, it has been a rough go of it for Lane since arriving on the big stage. His debut against Justin Tafa ended in a 30-second No Contest, and he was stopped in their rematch before ultimately going 1-5 in the promotion, with four knockout defeats and a submission.
Austen Lane’s career in the balance after UFC London defeat
In an effort to revitalize his career, Austen Lane made the move down to light-heavyweight for the first time on Saturday night at UFC London. He took on the unbeaten Iwo Baraniewski, who continued his streak of never letting an opponent out of round one with a big knockout win.
Lane is now 1-6, with one no contest and his sole victory in the UFC coming as a decision since getting his contract in 2022. And taking to Instagram, he explained that he is now unsure of what is going to happen next.
“This game has taught me more about life than anything else,” he wrote in a lengthy message. “Like life, you’re given choices different roads, different moments to make something of yourself. Whether it’s fortune, fame, or respect, you get opportunities to change your life.
“And just like in life, with those opportunities comes the risk of losing it all with one false step, one mistake, one error leaving you embarrassed for the world to see.
“A lot of people prepared me for the moment to be great, and I wanted nothing more than to go out there and show them what their time, effort, and energy meant to me.
Name a worse fight than Michael ‘Venom’ Page vs. Sam Patterson. 💩
“The plan was in place, the work had been done but I didn’t do my job. That falls on me and only me. That’s a weight I’ll carry, because I can handle it.
“When you go through adversity, you better hope you have the tools to weather the storm. I do. I always have. Whether it’s from the people I care about or from those who are gone but whose lessons still live through me, I’ll always come out the other side stronger and a better person.
“Life goes on. The sun will rise. And while I have no idea what the future holds, I’ll keep being me because that’s life.
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