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HISTORY ON THE LINE IN LYON AS TAYLOR LAPILUS AND MITCH MCKEE BATTLE FOR INAUGURAL PFL BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

September 9, 2026 | PFL Press

French Star Lapilus Takes on Undefeated American McKee on December 19 at LDLC Arena

Pre-sale tickets are available now, with general tickets available from 12pm CEST Friday September 11 via pfl.info/lyon

PFL Lyon will air live in the U.S. on the ESPN app and on RMC Sport in France

NEW YORK (Sept 9, 2026) — The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced the inaugural PFL Bantamweight World Championship will be on the line in the main event at PFL Lyon, as #3-Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus (25-4) will fight in his home country for gold against the undefeated American #1-Mitch “Merciless” McKee (11-0) on December 19 at the LDLC Arena. PFL Lyon will mark the final event under the PFL banner before a new chapter begins on January 1, 2027, when events will be staged under the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) name. The transition follows the merger of PFL and MVP, bringing together the two organizations to deliver world-class combat sports events to fans around the world.

Pre-sale tickets for PFL Lyon are on sale now, with general sale tickets available from 12:00pm CEST Friday, September 11, via pfl.info/lyon.

Lapilus joined PFL from UFC, where he went 6-2, and has had his eyes set on gold since coming onto the scene in 2025. Currently on a six-fight win streak, the French phenom has been dominant in all of his PFL bouts to date, with wins over PFL MENA champions, former Cage Warriors champions, and a spectacular knockout over Team Khabib’s Kasum Kasumov. An extremely technical, physically imposing fighter, the Frenchman has continued to elevate his game in recent bouts, delivering dominant performances over the likes of Liam Gittins and Jake Hadley. Now, after passing every test in front of him, he has one final puzzle to solve: Mitch McKee. Victory would make Lapilus one of the first-ever French undisputed world MMA champions.

McKee is 11-0 with six wins by KO/TKO and blitzed through the PFL rankings by dominating Sergio Pettis on his debut at PFL Chicago earlier this year. Training out of Kill Cliff FC under MMA legend Robbie Lawler, he is an elite wrestler, a three-time Minnesota state champion, and a six-time letterwinner at St. Michael-Albertville High School. He went on to wrestle in the Big Ten for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and is a two-time All American. With an elite pedigree on the mats and an increasingly dangerous striking game, McKee has developed into a well-rounded threat who will look to test Lapilus in front of the Frenchman’s home crowd.

“Lyon has become one of the great fight cities in the world, and the energy French fans bring for their athletes is palpable,” said MVP CEO John Martin. “On December 19, fans will have the opportunity to see one of their own fight for a world championship as Taylor Lapilus takes on the biggest test of his career in the undefeated Mitch McKee. Taylor has earned this opportunity with dominant performances, and now he has the chance to make history in front of his home crowd. The night will also mark a major milestone for our company as the final event under the PFL banner before we move forward as MVP in 2027. I can’t think of a better city or a better stage for it.”

Discussing the fight, Taylor Lapilus said: “My whole career has led to this moment. I’m here to become champion, leave my mark on this sport, and cement my legacy. And when I look back, I want to know I was part of the moment everything changed for French MMA. This is more than a title fight. This is history in the making.”

"To my people, you've supported me all the way through my career. On December 19, we need to make sure Mitch McKee knows what it's like to enter the lion's den at the LDLC Arena."

On the opportunity, Mitch McKee said: “Fighting for a PFL world title is exactly why I came here. Taylor is a great fighter, he’s experienced, and I know fighting him in France means I’m walking into his backyard. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’ve believed from day one that I’m the best bantamweight in the PFL, and in December I get the opportunity to prove it. I’m going to Lyon to bring that belt home.”

Updated PFL Lyon Main Card:
LDLC Arena – Lyon- Décines, France
Saturday December 19, 2026

PFL Bantamweight World Championship Main Event: #3-Taylor Lapilus (25-4) vs. #1-Mitch McKee (11-0)

UPCOMING PFL SCHEDULE: 