Lapilus Eyes History as First-Ever French World Champ

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Taylor Lapilus is one win away from making history for his country. The Frenchman will fight for the inaugural PFL Bantamweight World Championship on home soil this December.

Lapilus meets undefeated American Mitch McKee for the vacant title at PFL Lyon. A win would make him one of the first-ever French fighters to hold an undisputed world MMA championship.

The bout headlines PFL Lyon on December 19 at the LDLC Arena. Tickets are already on sale, with general sale opening this Friday.

Taylor Lapilus and Mitch McKee will meet for the vacant PFL Bantamweight World Championship in Lyon.

A Career Built Toward This Moment

Lapilus arrived in the PFL after a stint in the UFC, where he compiled a 6-2 record. He has remained unbeaten in the promotion, riding a six-fight win streak into the biggest fight of his career.

His résumé includes wins over former PFL MENA and Cage Warriors champions. He also scored a highlight-reel knockout over Team Khabib’s Kasum Kasumov earlier this year.

Lapilus has only grown sharper as the competition has gotten tougher. Recent wins over Liam Gittins and Jake Hadley showed a fighter rounding into peak form at exactly the right time.

“My whole career has led to this moment,” Lapilus said. “I’m here to become champion, leave my mark on this sport, and cement my legacy.”

He made clear the fight means more than a title. “This is more than a title fight,” he said. “This is history in the making.”

An Unbeaten Threat Stands in the Way

McKee enters the fight with a perfect 11-0 record, six of those wins coming by knockout or TKO. He announced himself in the PFL by dominating former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis in his promotional debut.

The American trains at Kill Cliff FC under MMA legend Robbie Lawler. A three-time Minnesota state wrestling champion, McKee also earned two-time All-American honors at the University of Minnesota.

“Taylor is a great fighter, he’s experienced, and I know fighting him in France means I’m walking into his backyard,” McKee said. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

McKee isn’t fighting just for the belt, either. “I’ve believed from day one that I’m the best bantamweight in the PFL,” he said. “I’m going to Lyon to bring that belt home.”