UFC Veteran Chris Lytle Loses Republican Nomination for Indiana State Senate

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Former UFC welterweight Chris Lytle came up short in his bid to become the Republican nominee for District 28 in the Indiana State Senate.

Lytle came in second place out of three potential Republican nominees, garnering 30 percent of the 17,540 total votes in Tuesday’s primary election. The victor, Michael R. Crider, earned 41 percent, besting Lytle by 1,929 votes. Meanwhile, John Merleau came in third place, swaying 29 percent of voters to his cause.

Known as “Lights Out,” Lytle became one of MMA’s most seasoned veterans over the course of his 12-year pro career. The 20-time UFC veteran decided to call it quits last year after winning five out of his last six bouts. Lytle, 37, ended his career on a high note, finishing former title challenger Dan Hardy with a guillotine choke at UFC Live 5 this past August.

A native Hoosier, Lytle works full time as a firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department. The husband and father of four initially revealed his interest in running for public office last summer prior to his victory over Hardy. Known for his boxing skills and submission game, Lytle holds the UFC record for most post-fight awards, earning bonuses in exactly half of his Octagon outings while compiling a 10-10 promotional record.