Chris Lytle to Retire After UFC on Versus 5
By Chris Leslie on August 14, 2011
Long time UFC veteran Chris “Lights Out” Lytle has announced his intent to retire after facing fellow welterweight Dan Hardy in tonight’s UFC on Versus 5 main event, Lytle confirmed on Sunday to NBC Sports.
“I’ve been fighting since ’98, fighting forever, a lot of it is just that I’m not doing my responsibilities like I need to at home,” Lytle said. “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.
“I just feel like I have a lot of things in my head that I feel guilty about,” he said. “I have a great time fighting, and I love fighting — I want to do it all the time — but I think that sometimes it’s time for me to not think about what I want and start thinking about what’s best for other people.”
Lytle informed the UFC earlier this week of intent to retire and thanked the organization for the opportunities they gave him. While there has been some talk of a possible political future, Lytle indicated that his retirement from MMA had nothing to do with his political aspirations.
A fan favorite, Lytle has made the most of the opportunities given to him through hard work. After a few tough runs in the UFC, Lytle returned to the promotion for “The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback,” where he earned a slot in the finals opposite Matt Serra. Despite losing that fight, Lytle would go on to have an entertaining run in the UFC that netted him five “Fight of the Night” awards, two “Submission of the Night” bonuses, and one “Knockout of the Night” award.
Regardless of the outcome for the UFC on Versus 5 main event, Lytle will always be remembered for being an exciting fighter and most of all a class act.
For complete UFC on Versus 5 coverage and UFC on Versus 5 results tomorrow stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
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Don’t retire, Lytle! You’re awesome. We need more fighters like you!
Dissapointing
but understandable.
@huertarogerhuerta
It is somewhat disappointing, but you have to remember something. You are always #1 in you’re life and you always come first, until you have kids, than you take the back seat. It’s understandable and I wish him all the best for his future and hope he can be the man and father he wants to be. His mind is in the right place and maybe we will see him return after his kids get a little older and/or until he misses the sport, tremendously. Good luck to Chris Lytle and his family and hope all works out the way he wants it too. Thank you for all those exciting bouts. Also, I hope you enjoy tonight’s fights and wish you all the best as well, take care.
;-)
At my 1st live ufc in da jerz him and thiago alvez put on one of the most excitin wars I’ve seen. Ill always b a fan and a lil nostaligic when it comes to those 2 cuz they made ufc 78 memorable. Seriously ask me wat happened in the main event or karo vs ryo chonnen. I can tell u who won and mayb how but u asl me bout lytles fight(or lauzon vs reinhardt and herman vs doerkson) and i can almost give u a full recap includin wat me and my friends were doin.
Agreed I truly wish him all the best wit politics and wit his family but still dissapointing. Win lose or draw I want him to b able to go out wit the type of fight hes known for.
@huertarogerhuerta
That’s impressive that you can remember that in almost full detail. I had a couple buddies go to a few events and a half year later they were struggling to remember. I truly believe you also. Since knowing this I hope this night is your night. I really want to see Lytle go out with a BANG, and now even more. I truly hope you enjoy tonight’s fights and they go the way you would like it to go.
Another class act exits the stage for good…
@Five-Alive, I don’t think we’ll see him return to MMA. I honestly think he’s just had enough. Almost 15 years as a Mixed Martial Artist is an awfully long time. Plus, considering that for all his thrilling fights, he’s no closer to title contention than he’s ever been, well, his decision is quite logical.
Best of luck in all your endeavors Mr. Lytle. You have an entire MMA nation rooting for you tonight, but regardless the outcome, you’re going out a winner…..
@frantzfanon
I agree, I don’t expect Chris to return. He’s had a long career and I’m happy with whatever decision he makes, I respect it as well. I Hope you enjoy the fights tonight and take care out there. ;-)
I’ve always been a fan of Lytle’s, being from Indiana, and from him just being a great guy and exciting fighter. Kind of sad, but it’s the right thing for him to do…. Put a beat down on Hardy tonight, Lytle!!!
Best of luck to a great fighter and a classy guy. Go out on a win “lights out”
Part of me wants Lytle to win this fight but I know Hardy will most likely get the axe if he loses so part of me doesn’t. I guess I’m still leaning a little towards Hardy in this one.
@skdrcr
This is a fight where a lot of people are going to be torn on who to pick, especially since rumors are floating around that Hardy may get cut. I can see big Lytle fans not really caring what happens with Hardy, since this is Lytle’s last bout.
Fedor’s now 3-3…lol just kidding. ;-) I hope you enjoy the fights tonight and wish your family and you all the best in everything you do in life. Take care. :-)
It’s a shame to see Lytle hang ‘em up. Always an exciting fight when he’s involved.
I find it fitting that the UFC has a Harley waiting for the winner of the main event, maybe a going away present for years of hard work and service?
I’ve got my money on Hardy though.
I appreciate that Lytle wants to stand and bang and give the fans an exciting slugfest, but I REALLY hope Lurked takes it to the ground. He deserves to go out with a resounding victory, and although I think he can win standing or on the ground, I think he has such an advantage on the mat that he should impose his will there. My hope for the fight is that they throw some leather, Lytle takes him down and walks away with two last fight bonuses for submission and fight of the might. That and the satisfaction knowing that he was the one who sent the one-dimensional Hardy packing from the big leagues.
“Lytle” not “Lurked”…..damn you auto-correct!