JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Much like during his time as a professional football player, Austen Lane has spent the current NFL offseason training at Boost Sports Performance on Distribution Avenue on Jacksonville's Southside.
Nearly three years removed from his journeyman career in professional football, Lane, 30, is preparing to tackle an even bigger challenge. After seven amateur and four professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fights, the former Jaguars defensive end has received the opportunity to fight for a UFC contract against fellow former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy.
The June 12 fight will take place in Las Vegas. A win could net Lane a UFC contract, sending his career into overdrive.
"When I first started out this career about two years ago, obviously, the end goal was to get a UFC Championship," Lane said during an interview with First Coast News on Friday.
"This is a big step in my career goal. That's not to say I'm going to put any extra pressure on myself, it's still a fight at the end of the day. It's the 11th fight of my career. I've definitely been in the thick of things, I know what to expect."
Lane has a 4-0 record as a professional fighter. Hardy - on the other hand - has participated in just three amateur fights (3-0). Still, the pair will meet during Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series in just a few weeks.
The matchup is somewhat fitting for the two opponents, as the pair has been loosely linked since they both entered the NFL in 2010.
"I've always kind of had my eye on Greg Hardy," Lane said.
"We were at the combine together, we got drafted together, so I knew of him before. When I found out that he was doing MMA, obviously, I was following his career, so I guess you could always say we were destined to be on a path together and eventually fight. I thought it was going to be later on in our careers but it's happening now and that's fine with me."
Hardy is notorious for his criminal background.
He was arrested in 2014 on domestic violence charges, which led to a 10-game suspension from the NFL. Those charges were eventually dismissed.
A few years later, he was arrested for cocaine possession in Richardson, Texas.
"Obviously, one of the reasons why Greg is so [well-known] is his off-the-field issues," Lane said.
"I feel, as a fighter, if I focus too much on that and I use that as extra motivation, that's taking away from my training and getting ready for him as an opponent. When we step in the cage, it doesn't matter what he's done in his past, it doesn't matter what he believes in, he's coming to fight. So I'm concerned about Greg Hardy the person, what I'm concerned about right now is Greg Hardy the fighter."
Lane has been watching Hardy's MMA film, similar to how he used to watch game tape of NFL offenses. The two haven't spoken in years and there's a chance that there will be very few pleasantries exchanged in the octagon during the upcoming fight.
"Who knows, maybe after the fight, there may be some dialogue," Lane said. "As far as it right now, he's training to punch me in the face, I'm training to punch him in the face."
Lane has found his stride as an MMA performer. While he has only competed for roughly two years, Lane's introduction to mixed martial arts and boxing came as early as his debut season in Jacksonville back in 2010.
As he continued his NFL career, Lane became more involved in MMA work during his offseason training. The goal with the cross-training was to improve his hand speed as a pass rusher.
Lane said the old school mentality of lifting heavy weights for more explosive reps became a bit outdated. Current NFL pass rushers are focusing more on complete body control, using the body's weight to manage a workout.
MMA fighters rely heavily on body control and Lane spends a lot of time focusing on his balance during workouts.
The former Jaguars player has changed up his workout routine since transitioning to MMA. He has also had to adjust his mindset, as fighting has taken him away from team sports.
There's also a different kind of contact when you're surrounded by a metal cage.
"The best part of my first fight was that I got punched in the face first," Lane said.
"So the dude actually unloaded on me right in the jaw and kind of wobbled me a bit and once that happened, I kind of had a smile on my face because I knew that it was 'go time' and this is for me and then I KOed him a few minutes later."
Lane used to torment NFL quarterbacks and running backs without much retaliation. In MMA, Lane has to attack while protecting himself.
Punishment is dealt out both ways.
"Everybody can fight if they're doing well and can throw punches," Lane said.
"But you find out who you are when you start taking the punches and taking the punishment. That's when you truly find out if you're a fighter or not and I truly feel like I'm a fighter."
Lane has found comfort in the support he has received in his adopted home of Jacksonville. Newly married with a three-year-old son, Lane is enjoying life on the First Coast while he pursues another one of his sports dreams.
"Jacksonville was a great spot," Lane said.
"The crazy thing with the draft is you have the possibility of [going to] 30 something cities to live in, so when I got the call from Jacksonville, I didn't really know much about it. When I came here, I was blown away by obviously, you've got the beach and downtown area and it's got a little bit of everything and as far as the people, I think it's the people that kept me in Jacksonville. I always knew that when I retired, I'd come back here and open up shop and that's what I'm doing now. Jacksonville is definitely my home base."
The former defensive end takes pride in living in Jacksonville. He has made several bonds in the area and still has relationships within the Jaguars organization. He looks forward to representing the Jacksonville area as he continues to pursue his MMA goals.
"I don't think there's ever been a UFC fighter from Jacksonville before [but] if I am able to be the first one, that'd be a great honor," Lane said.
"Obviously, to represent Jacksonville and Duval, I'd gladly take that title. All of the support that I'm getting, I see it on Twitter, I see it on Facebook, I see it out in public, it's been fantastic. Hopefully, I can make everybody proud."
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.