Taylor Lapilus
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Taylor Lapilus (born 8 April 1992) is a French mixed martial artist and boxer who is currently signed to the Professional Fighters League. He formerly competed in Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is also a former TKO Major League MMA Bantamweight Champion. As of February 12, 2026, he is #4 in the PFL bantamweight rankings.
Background
Born in Villepinte and raised in Sevran, Lapilus competed in soccer on various levels in his youth. Before he began training in martial arts, he briefly attended college where he studied, and worked for a time as a welder.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Lapilus followed the path of his brother Damien, who is also a professional mixed martial artist, and began training in mixed martial arts in 2010. He made his debut as a professional in 2012, competing as a featherweight for primarily for various regional promotions across France. He was able to compile a record along the way of 8–1. On the heels of his finish of Cyril Ericher in May 2014, Lapilus signed with the UFC in the fall of 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Lapilus was expected to make his promotional debut on 4 October, 2014, as a short notice replacement against Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 53, filling in for an injured Robert Whiteford. However, the Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation subsequently deemed Lapilus an unsuitable opponent, and in turn, Charles Rosa was tabbed as the last-minute replacement.
Lapilus eventually made his debut against Rocky Lee on 11 April, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 64. Lapilus won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Yuta Sasaki on 20 June, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 69. Lapilus won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Lapilus faced Erik Pérez on 21 November, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Lapilus next faced Leandro Issa on September 3, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 93. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Post-UFC career
After the sole boxing bout in 2017, Lapilus racked Bantamweight Championships in both TKO Major League MMA and German MMA Championships. In November 2019, it was revealed that Lapilus has signed with a new, Afro-European MMA promotion ARES Fighting Championship. Lapilus was expected to make his promotional debut in the promotion's inaugural event on December 14, 2019 against Bryan Caraway. However, Caraway withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Marcos Breno. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Wilson Reis at Ares FC 2 on December 12, 2021. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Demarte Pena for the vacant AFC Bantamweight Championship on April 16, 2022 at Ares FC 5. He won the bout and title via TKO stoppage in the first round.
Return to UFC
Lapilus was scheduled to face Khalid Taha on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. However, Lapilus withdrew a week before the event due to a broken hand and was later replaced by Cristian Quiñónez.
Lapilus was scheduled to face Muin Gafurov on September 2, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226. However, Lapilus was instead matched up with Caolán Loughrán after Gafurov withdrew due to visa issues. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Farid Basharat on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Cody Stamann on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Lapilus was scheduled to face Felipe Lima on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243. However, Lima withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Vince Morales on short notice. Lapilus won the fight by unanimous decision.
Despite being 3–1 again in his second stint, on February 27, 2025, it was reported that Lapilus was once again removed from the UFC roster.
Professional Fighters League
On March 25, 2025, it was announced that Lapilus signed with Professional Fighters League.
Lapilus was scheduled to face Ali Taleb on May 23, 2025, at PFL Europe Paris. However in early May, the organization announced that the event was cancelled. The bout was re-scheduled and took place on July 5, 2025, at PFL Europe 2. Lapilus won the bout via unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Liam Gittins on December 13, 2025, at PFL Champions Series 4, and won the bout via unanimous decision.
Lapilus faced Kasum Kasumov on February 7, 2026, at PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis, and won the bout via TKO in the third round.
Mixed martial arts style
Having started his martial arts career with grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he is a comfortable grappler. Lapilus is also a good striker, being a long time Muay Thai practitioner. Furthermore, he is interested in the Israeli fighting system Krav Maga, and participated in several induction trainings and programmes.
Professional boxing career
After his first UFC run, Lapilus opted to try his hands at boxing, facing Heri Andriyanto on May 27, 2017. He won by unanimous decision.
Mixed martial arts record
| 28 matches | 24 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 13 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 24–4 | Kasum Kasumov | TKO (punches) | PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis | February 7, 2026 | 3 | 0:47 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 23–4 | Liam Gittins | Decision (unanimous) | PFL Lyon: Nemkov vs. Ferreira | December 13, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Décines-Charpieu, France | |
| Win | 22–4 | Ali Taleb | Decision (unanimous) | PFL Europe 2 (2025) | July 5, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Brussels, Belgium | |
| Win | 21–4 | Vince Morales | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis | September 28, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 20–4 | Cody Stamann | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov | June 8, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Loss | 19–4 | Farid Basharat | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 | January 13, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 19–3 | Caolán Loughran | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac | September 2, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 18–3 | Demarte Pena | TKO (elbows and punches) | Ares FC 5 | April 16, 2022 | 1 | 2:33 | Paris, France | Won the inaugural Ares FC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Wilson Reis | Decision (unanimous) | Ares FC 2 | December 11, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 16–3 | Marcos Breno | Decision (unanimous) | Ares FC 1 | December 14, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Dakar, Senegal | |
| Win | 15–3 | Nate Maness | TKO (kick to the body) | TKO 48 | May 24, 2019 | 3 | 1:22 | Gatineau, Quebec, Canada | Won the TKO Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–3 | Josh Hill | Decision (split) | TKO 45 | December 7, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Loss | 13–3 | Denis Lavrentyev | Decision (unanimous) | RCC Intro 1 | September 1, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Ekaterinburg, Russia | |
| Win | 13–2 | Farbod Iran Nezhad | TKO (punches) | German MMA Championship 14 | February 24, 2018 | 1 | 2:16 | Castrop-Rauxel, Germany | Return to Bantamweight. Won the vacant GMC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–2 | Ömer Solmaz | Decision (split) | German MMA Championship 13 | December 16, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Düsseldorf, Germany | Won the interim GMC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–2 | Leandro Issa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett | September 3, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Hamburg, Germany | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Erik Pérez | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum | November 21, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 10–1 | Ulka Sasaki | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Jędrzejczyk vs. Penne | June 20, 2015 | 2 | 1:26 | Berlin, Germany | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 9–1 | Rocky Lee | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 | April 11, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Kraków, Poland | |
| Win | 8–1 | Cyril Ericher | Submission (guillotine choke) | 100% Fight 22 | May 30, 2014 | 1 | 2:58 | Aubervilliers, France | |
| Win | 7–1 | Osman Minbatirov | Decision (split) | Honor and Glory Fight Night 3 | May 17, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Béziers, France | |
| Win | 6–1 | Cyrille Dimbas | Submission (armbar) | 100% Fight 19 | March 22, 2014 | 1 | 3:41 | Aubervilliers, France | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 5–1 | Magomed Bibulatov | Decision (unanimous) | Grand European FC: Urban Legend Prestige 4 | October 12, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Villepinte, France | Bantamweight debut. For the vacant GEFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Nicolas Joannes | Submission | Knock Out Championship 6 | April 6, 2013 | 1 | 2:50 | Cognac, France | |
| Win | 4–0 | Chresus Mokima | Submission (armbar) | 100% Fight 13 | February 16, 2013 | 2 | 1:32 | Aubervilliers, France | |
| Win | 3–0 | Steve Polifonte | Decision (unanimous) | 100% Fight: Contenders 16 | November 10, 2012 | 2 | 5:00 | Paris, France | Won the 100% Fight Featherweight Tournament. |
| Win | 2–0 | Souksavanh Khampasath | Submission (triangle choke) | 1 | 0:43 | Featherweight debut. 100% Fight Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 1–0 | Isa Abiev | Submission (triangle choke) | Octogone Fighting Club 4 | March 31, 2012 | 1 | 3:35 | Hainaut, Belgium | Lightweight debut. |
Professional boxing record
| 1 fight | 1 win | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Heri Andriyanto | UD | 4 | 27 May 2017 | Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore |