Chris "Lights Out" Lytle Retiring after tomorrow's fight

[broncofan]

On the eve of his UFC Live on Versus 5 fight against Dan Hardy, Chris "Lights Out" Lytle has decided that Sunday night's bout will be his last.

The popular welterweight exclusively informed NBCSports.com of his decision Saturday evening.

"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," he 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."

Lytle said he made up his mind "a few months ago" when he spent some quality time with his children while rehabbing injuries. Upon returning to the gym, Lytle said he felt "a guilt that I'm not used to" feeling.

"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, who also works as a full-time firefighter in his home state of Indiana, said he informed the UFC of his decision this week in Milwaukee.

"I wanted to tell them before I told anybody else. I think I owe them that."

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/44135102