LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 01: (L-R) Mario Pinto of Portugal punches Austen Lane in a heavyweight battle through the UFC Struggle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on March 01, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Heavyweight Mario Pinto made his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 103, taking over former NFL defensive finish Austen Lane.
Contender Collection alum Pinto was an ideal 9-0 to begin the night time, whereas Lane, who had hit battle followers’ radar as an early-career opponent of Greg Hardy, was 1-2 (1NC) contained in the octagon and coming off a win over Robelis Despaigne.
Spherical one kicked off with each fighters utilizing laborious feints, every trying to arrange one thing large. They traded leg kicks early, with Lane touchdown a proper hand that backed up Pinto. Each males continued exchanging thudding leg kicks, and Pinto timed a pointy proper hand off a Lane kick.
Lane made the primary important transfer, taking pictures for a takedown, however Pinto shrugged it off. Lane remained lively, working behind his jab, however Pinto responded with a proper hand that briefly wobbled him. Impressively, Lane recovered shortly and returned hearth, dropping Pinto with a straight proper. Pinto, nonetheless, bounced again simply as quick, and the battle made it to the bell.
In spherical two, Pinto wasted no time coming ahead throwing for the fences. Lane responded again with a flurry of his personal forcing Pinto’s again towards the cage. Once they settled again in Pinto landed a left-right flatlining Lane out chilly in brutal trend. A spotlight reel knockout within the British heavyweight’s promotional debut, and a powerful candidate for a post-fight bonus.
Official End result: Mario Pinto def. Austen Lane by knockout (left-right), Spherical 2, 0:39
