After an illustrious career as a mixed martial artist, Chris (Lights Out) Lytle’s main event fight Sunday in Milwaukee will be his last.
The UFC veteran, who turns 37 next week, has informed the organization that he is retiring following his welterweight bout against Dan (The Outlaw) Hardy.
Watch UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle on Sportsnet at 9 p.m. ET. Sportsnet is the only place in Canada to watch the event.
The news was first reported by NBCSports.com, the official website for Versus, which is broadcasting the event in the U.S.
“I’ve been fighting since ’98, fighting forever,” Lytle told the website. “A lot of it is just that I’m not doing my responsibilities like I need to at home.
“I feel like I’m not being the type of dad I want to. I got four kids, and lots of times I feel just an immense sense of guilt for not being there in times when I should.”
The Indianapolis native, who is also a full-time firefighter, was seen giving UFC president Dana White an envelope at Saturday’s weigh-ins and it was reportedly a goodbye and thank you letter for his time with the organization.
Lytle, a finalist of Season 4 of The Ultimate Fighter, is tied for the most career UFC fight bonuses, including five fight of the night honours and two top submissions. He is coming off a loss to Brian Ebersole in February, which followed a four-fight win streak.
Lytle (30-18-5) made his UFC debut in 2000, but lost to Ben Earwood. He didn’t return until 2003, also losing to Robbie Lawler before a short winning streak.
He has fought some of the biggest names in MMA, including Joe Riggs, Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes and Matt Serra (twice), but could never sustain long winning streaks until his recent run. But his entertaining style and lovable demeanour always made him a fan favourite.
WEIGH-IN NOTES: Hardy weighed in at 171.5 on his first attempt Saturday, a half-pound over the limit. He was given an hour to shed the extra weight and was successful on his second attempt. Lytle was 170.5 pounds … Ben Henderson, who takes on Jim Miller (155.5) in a co-main event bout to potentially determine the next No. 1 lightweight contender, also needed to drop his underwear and step on the scale behind a towel, but did just make the 156-pound mark … All other fighters made weight Saturday.
BRAGGING RIGHTS AT STAKE?
There may be a little more than a title shot on the line between Henderson and Miller. When the WEC was absorbed by the UFC in December, Miller was quoted as saying the WEC lightweights would get weeded out pretty quickly. Henderson, a former WEC lightweight title-holder, said he absolutely recalls the interview.
“I don’t necessarily take it personally but I definitely remember the quote,” Henderson said. “It’s definitely in the back of my mind.”
Meanwhile, Miller said he was responding to some quotes from WEC fighters who said they expected to steamroll their new opponents when they joined the promotion.
“I didn’t think was very respectful to the guys in the UFC,” Miller said. “I think (the WEC additions) won just as many as they’ve lost … They’re a tough group of guys but this is a tough division and you know, we’ll see how the rest of it goes.
“We’ll see how it goes on the 14th.”
Despite the potential for bad blood there, the two were very respectful at the weigh-ins. But (likely) only one will have his hand raised Sunday.
