Heavyweight Mario Pinto made his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 103, taking on former NFL defensive end Austen Lane.
Contender Series alum Pinto was a perfect 9-0 to start the night, while Lane, who had hit fight fans’ radar as an early-career opponent of Greg Hardy, was 1-2 (1NC) inside the octagon and coming off a win over Robelis Despaigne.
Round one kicked off with both fighters using hard feints, each looking to set up something big. They traded leg kicks early, with Lane landing a right hand that backed up Pinto. Both men continued exchanging thudding leg kicks, and Pinto timed a sharp right hand off a Lane kick.
Lane made the first significant move, shooting for a takedown, but Pinto shrugged it off. Lane remained active, working behind his jab, but Pinto responded with a right hand that briefly wobbled him. Impressively, Lane recovered quickly and returned fire, dropping Pinto with a straight right. Pinto, however, bounced back just as fast, and the fight made it to the bell.
In round two, Pinto wasted no time coming forward throwing for the fences. Lane responded back with a flurry of his own forcing Pinto’s back against the cage. When they settled back in Pinto landed a left-right flatlining Lane out cold in brutal fashion. A highlight reel knockout in the British heavyweight’s promotional debut, and a strong candidate for a post-fight bonus.
Official Result: Mario Pinto def. Austen Lane by knockout (left-right), Round 2, 0:39
