Chris Lytle Turns out the Lights in Brew City but the Outlaw Keeps His Job

The lights went out for “The Outlaw” last night, as he failed in his fourth attempt at redemption. Although the fight lived up to all the pre-fight hype, Dan Hardy couldn’t find a way past Chris Lytle. Even when he had him reeling twice in Round 2, his bombs failed to detonate on impact.

In Round 3 the Milwaukee crowd was baying for blood; Dan Hardy’s that is, and they got it sooner than expected when Hardy's futile attempt at a takedown led to his demise as Chris “Lights Out” Lytle secured a guillotine choke, leaving Hardy with two choices: either tap out or go to sleep. He chose the former.

The Outlaw wanted a brawl and he got one. But you could sense that he was getting more apprehensive as the fight wore on. Lytle was out striking him and he probably ruminated with himself “I don’t want to get knocked out again.” So desperation set in, thus the reason for his takedown attempts.  

This was coming from a guy who is not known for his wrestling attributes. The fact of the matter was Dan Hardy was getting beaten at his own game, and chose to digress from the one department he had a chance of winning at-striking.

With four losses in a row, you’d think he’d be on his way out. But, there’s a but—the but being he still has a job at UFC, courtesy of the owner of the Zuffa-based company. Lorenzo Fertitta tweeted, “Will not cut @danhardymma I liked guys that WAR!!!”

Dan Hardy could well turn out to be the luckiest loser in the history of the UFC. Love him or loathe him, the gods have spoken and so it shall pass that Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy will live to fight another day in the eight sided steel cage of the UFC. Has he entertainment value? A resounding yes is the answer. Does he still deserve to be in the UFC mix? Other fighters have been cut for far fewer losses.

To the victor the spoils—Chris Lytle, earned $130,000 in bonuses, half for Submission of the Night and half for Fight of the Night. Chris "Lights Out" Lytle can now can retire with a smile on his face; a winner in every sense of the word and with a stellar career to look back on.

Final result: Chris Lytle defeats Dan Hardy via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:16 of Round 3.