Report: Chris Lytle in negotiations to box against Roy Jones Jr.

Retired UFC welterweight Chris Lytle (31-18-5 MMA, 10-10 UFC), who at 39 years old hasn’t competed since August 2011, is reportedly in negotiations for a boxing match against current World Boxing Union cruiserweight champion Roy Jones Jr.

Ariel Helwani revealed the plans on Wednesday’s new edition of “UFC Tonight,” stating that Lytle is “very hopeful” that a 10-round, 175-pound contest can be scheduled for later this year.

While his experience pales in comparison to that of Jones, Lytle wouldn’t enter the boxing ring as a complete neophyte. “Lights Out” boxed professionally 15 times from 2002 to 2005, earning an impressive 13-1-1 record that included seven knockouts. Of course, the totality of that run comprises of 74 rounds of boxing compared to the 448 rounds Jones Jr. has amassed while building a 57-8 record in the sport.

Lytle is reportedly pursuing just the one boxing appearance before calling it a career in combat sports. MMA is not currently in his plans.

Lytle’s UFC career dates all the way back to UFC 28, when he lost a decision to Ben Earwood in November 2000. it would be three years before he would return to the promotion, and he eventually registered 20 total fights in the octagon, picking up an impressive six “Fight of the Night” bonuses along the way.

Lytle was one fight away from a UFC title shot as a finalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 4? but lost a split decision to Matt Serra, who would go on to shock then-welterweight champ and pound-for-pound great Georges St-Pierre.

Lytle finished his UFC career at 5-1 in his final six fights, walking away from the sport following an August 2011 submission win over Dan Hardy.

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(Pictured: Chris Lytle)