When Chris Lytle discovered there was a new fight promotion pushing an archaic version of pugilism, he had to be involved.

There was just one problem. He was retired.

After 12 years of professional fighting, Lytle (31-18-5 MMA, 10-10 UFC) hung up his MMA gloves in 2011 to live a more normal life as a family man and firefighter in his native Indianapolis. So when he broached the subject of getting in a ring with his loved ones, it wasn’t the most welcome of news.

“It wasn’t, ‘Yes, finally, we’ve been waiting for you to do that, Chris,’” Lytle, who faces Drew Lipton at Bare Knuckle FC 2, told MMAjunkie Radio. It was like, ‘I thought you were done with it.’”

Having just turned 44, Lytle also wasn’t sure how his body would withstand the stress of a fight, particularly one where a layer of safety was removed. But the more he thought about it, the more sure he was that the dangers he faced – and the concern from his family – weren’t as serious as his previous pursuits.

Lytle believes bare-knuckle is a safer combat sport than boxing, where he said the repeated blows to the head that accompany training sessions and fights are responsible for the most brain trauma.

When he boxed professionally, Lytle prided himself on his aggression and often found himself in wild swinging matches with fighters. He estimates he took 20 hard shots to the head per round, whether sparring or fighting. Without gloves, though, that wouldn’t be an issue.

“If that happens here, you get cut open,” he said. “I think it might be more dangerous superficially, as far as cuts to the face, but you’re not going to get brain damage from doing this sport.”

Of course, it’s naive to think there’s no possibility of receiving brain damage. Punches will be exchanged, and many of them will contact his head. It’s for that reason that, at least in training camp, he’s trying to revive the boxing skills that could help him avoid taking unnecessary damage.

“My goal is to not get hit…because it has to be,” he said. “If you sit there and trade, you’re going to lose a lot of fights, and I want to win.”

Exactly what happens after his comeback fight, which takes place Saturday at MS Coast Coliseum and streams live via internet pay-per-view, is something he’ll figure out down the road. How he fares is probably going to play a big part in that next conversation he has with his family, and how uncomfortable it is or isn’t.

One thing, though: Lytle is happy to be back in a fight.

“I was like, man, I’ve gotta do this,” he said. “The way I fought, it’s tailor made for me.”

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Dan Tom. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.