• UFC Live 5

Lights Out Lytle to retire after Hardy showdown

ESPN staff
August 14, 2011
Chris Lytle told Dan Hardy to make his last bout a good one at UFC Live 5 © Getty Images
Enlarge

Chris Lytle announced on Saturday that he will retire from mixed martial arts following his forthcoming clash with Dan Hardy at UFC Live 5.

Lytle, who has competed professionally for 13 years, cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the reason for his decision. At the age of 36, "Lights Out" will make Hardy his final opponent.

He signs off ahead of his 20th UFC fight, currently boasting a 9-10 record.

"I feel like I'm not being the type of dad I want to," Lytle told NBCSports.com. "I got four kids and lots of time I feel just an immense sense of guilt for not being there in times when I should."

Hardy confessed he felt honoured to be Lytle's last opponent, and is now even more convinced that the American will want to go out after a barn-burner.

"Obviously, he wants to go out with a good, hard fight instead of his last one where he really didn't get to engage much," Hardy told MMAWeekly.com. "And what he said to me at the weigh-ins, he said, 'this is my last one, so let's make it a good one.'

"He wants to go out on a good fight and I'm honoured that he's picked me to do it.

"I think, more than anything, he wants to have a 'Chris Lytle' fight to finish his career. I certainly think that he'll come out with all guns blazing because of it and I think that might make for a great fight."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices