Former Nfl Player Anthony Wint Chasing Another Ufc Finish At 332

Yet another former NFL player is testing his toughness in the UFC.

Anthony Wint, who played linebacker for the New York Jets, will head into the octagon in the prelims of UFC 332 in Salt Lake City Saturday, Oct. 3. He is 8-0 overall and 1-0 in the UFC.

"For me, (I want) a finish for sure – hopefully within the first round," Wint told MMA Junkie Radio.

Wint, 31, is coming off of a victory in his UFC debut, when defeated Terrance Chatman in by first-round submission Aug. 22.

Who is NFL player-turned-UFC fighter Anthony Wint?

He’ll look for his second straight UFC victory against Lucas Armand.

Three other former NFL players, including Greg Hardy, have fought in the UFC.

Wint was undrafted NFL free agent in 2018 who signed with the New York Jets. He played linebacker and spent most of the season on the practice squad before making in the Jets’ second-to-last game of the regular season.

Wint recorded one tackle and forced a fumble in the Jets’ 44-38 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Waived by the Jets that following year, Wint signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL but opted out of his contract after the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic.

He resurfaced in the world of professional MMA in 2023 and went 6-0 before earning a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series in August. He beat Matt Adams by first-round knockout 34 seconds into the fight, then fought 11 days later and beat Terrance Chatman by submission in the first round.

NFL players and the UFC

All of the former NFL players have fought as heavyweights.

The most notable former NFL player to compete in the UFC is Hardy, 38, who played defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 after four seasons with the Carolina Panthers. His MMA record is 9-6 and he’s won seven of his fights by knockout.

He’s 4-5 in the UFC and he fought last in July, when he defeated Joseph Holmes by third-round knockout in Peaking Fighting 53.

Austen Lane, 38, played defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears during and NFL career that spanned from 2010 to 2014. He made his pro MMA debut in 2017 and, after a 4-0 start, faced Hardy. Hardy won by first-round TKO.

But Lane kept fighting and is 13-8 with 11 knockouts and 1-5 in the UFC. Lane fought last in March, losing for the third time in a row.

Zac Pauga, 38, played fullback for the Houston Texas in 2011 NFL preseason. He made his pro MMA debut in 2020 and is 7-4 overall and 1-3 in the UFC.

His most recent bouts have been in the Dirty Boxing Championship and Karate Championship.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former NFL player Anthony Wint chasing another UFC finish at 332