Undefeated McKee faces hometown hero Lapilus for PFL bantamweight title in Lyon

Taylor Lapilus and Mitchell McKee will fight for the PFL bantamweight championship on December 12 at LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, in what will also be the final event staged under the Professional Fighters League banner before the promotion rebrands as Most Valuable Promotions.

Lapilus (25-4) enters the main event of PFL Lyon with the rare advantage of competing in front of his home crowd. The Frenchman, a former UFC fighter, has gone 4-0 since joining the PFL and now stands one win away from a world title. “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.”

Standing in his way is McKee (11-0), who remains unbeaten as a professional and made an immediate impression on his PFL debut earlier this year, defeating Sergio Pettis at PFL Chicago. “Fighting for a PFL world title is exactly why I came here,” McKee said. “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.”

Beyond the title stakes, PFL Lyon carries additional significance as the organisation’s last major card before it begins operating under the Most Valuable Promotions name on January 1, 2027, following the merger between the two organisations. The rebrand marks a significant structural shift for one of MMA’s leading promotions outside the UFC.