Chris Lytle | Source: MMAWeekly.com
Longtime MMA veteran Chris “Lights Out” Lytle recently took a step back to evaluate the best, the worst, and everything in between over the course of a lengthy career with Tapology’s Steven Kelliher.
Undoubtedly one of the most experienced veterans in the sport today, 36 year old Lytle has competed in over 50 professional MMA fights. It is worth noting that his MMA career was preceded by a lengthy turn as a professional boxer.
With so many bouts to choose from, it was difficult for Lytle to select his favorite all-time bout. Difficult, but not impossible.
“I’ve had a lot of fights, but one of the best fights was when I fought in England against a kid named Paul Taylor,” Lytle said. “That was a lot of fun because I had it in my mind to stand and bang with him the whole time and that’s exactly what happened.”
Lytle digs Taylor with a body shot at UFC 89 | Source: MMAWeekly.com
Looking over Lytle’s record, one would think the fighter might choose a quick, 33-second knockout of Kyle Bradley back in 2008. Just last year Lytle took out rising star Brian Foster with a Kneebar in under two minutes. Lytle, however, sees things differently than most.
“It’s good when you get to go in there and win real quick, but I like the fights where I have to overcome a little bit of adversity,” Lytle said. “If I’m able to take some punches and still come out on top I usually feel a little better about that.”
Compare that to his all-time most hated performance, and you begin to see what makes Lytle tick.
“The first time I fought Matt Serra was my worst performance because I went out there with the mentality to win a decision pretty much,” Lytle said. “I didn’t care whether or not people liked the fight, and the bottom line is I didn’t fight the way I normally do, so it was a terrible fight for me.”
According to Lytle, he is a part of a healthy majority of fighters who prefer to earn their victories through talent only after it has been soaked in blood, sweat, and raw grit.
“It shows what people are in this sport for,” Lytle said about a fighter’s style. “It’s much more than just a win or a loss for me. I like to test myself against the best in the world. I would rather fight Georges St-Pierre than fight for the title. He is the best and I’d like to test myself against the best.”
Lytle absorbs punishment without complaint against Taylor | Source: MMAWeekly.com
Asked how fighters compared with other professional athletes, such as basketball players, Lytle claimed no comparison could be made.
“The mentality has to be different from most sports,” Lytle said. “You’re going in there to do battle, so you can’t think like most people. I think fighting is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. I don’t think that applies if you’re just a basketball player. I don’t think that defines who you are. Fighting goes down into the core of a person.”
Finally, can fans ever expect age and accumulated injuries to result in a safer, more cautious Chris Lytle in the Octagon?
“I never want to get the feeling that I got in that first Matt Serra fight again, so I will always fight this way,” Lytle said. “I would rather be done fighting than not be true to myself. I can’t and I won’t do that again.”
Lytle will take on UFC newcomer Brian Ebersole in the promotion’s second trip to Sydney, Australia on Saturday, February 27 at UFC 127. Carlos Condit, his original opponent, was forced out of the contest due to injury.
