Felista Mugo, aka The Young Queen, is set to write a new chapter for East African MMA when she makes her PFL Africa debut on 10 April 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa, facing Uganda’s Annet ‘Rose’ Kiiza in a women’s flyweight showdown.
The bout will mark a pivotal moment for African MMA as two regional standouts carry their flags into one of the sport’s most visible platforms.
Mugo has quickly become one of Kenya’s most prominent mixed martial artists, competing primarily at flyweight and building a reputation for fast starts and finishes. She has earned multiple first-round stoppages over opponents across the continent, including wins under EFC and Warrior Sports Championship, as she developed her game against opposition from Nigeria and South Africa.
She has frequently been described as Kenya’s first female professional MMA fighter, a label that has followed her as the country’s small but growing pro scene begins to attract international attention.
“I’m making history as the first ever female fighter from Kenya to sign up with PFL,” Mugo said.
For Mugo, signing with PFL Africa is bigger than a personal step up the ladder. “Raising the flag of Kenya in that PFL Cage means a lot and it will bring more opportunitiesto the young ladies who dare to dream.”
She has spoken recently about the realities of training in a country where MMA is still developing, from limited support structures to the challenge of convincing families and sponsors to back women in combat sports.
“Before I step in the PFL Cage for this historic moment, I want to invite all fans that have never seen me fight to come and watch my fight because it will be very entertaining. I’m always bringing aggression and always looking for a finish.”
‘The Young Queen’ insists fans tuning in to her debut can expect a high-velocity performance. “This fight is going to be one of the best fights that you have ever seen for the females.” That approach has defined her recent run, where she has hunted early stoppages and leaned on pressure to overwhelm opponents.
Standing across from her will be Kiiza, a Ugandan flyweight who has been active on the East African circuit, including ANZA MMA’s historic first professionally sanctioned MMA event in Kenya. There, Kiiza scored a second-round TKO over Kenya’s Rael Ashubwe, showing her own ability to close the show once she builds momentum. The Kenya–Uganda angle adds another layer to this matchup, revisiting a growing regional rivalry.
Mugo, however, says her focus is fixed on legacy.“When I’m coming out of that red corner, I’m not just coming for a fight. I’m coming for a legacy,” she said. “I’m gonna advise my opponent to be ready, and to my fans, I ask you to come early because this fight can end anytime, very early.”
She credits her preparation to sessions with what she calls one of the strongest teams on the continent.
“For my upcoming fight I’m really training hard for it and I’m training with the best team in Africa, that is Elite Training Center in DFC. For sure, we are bringing a good fight and a great show. Be there.”
As PFL Africa prepares to launch its second season in Pretoria, the inclusion of athletes like Mugo and Kiiza signals a clear intent to showcase women’s MMA from across the continent on a bigger platform. For Mugo, the April 10 debut offers the chance to cement her place as a standard bearer for Kenyan fighters and to show young girls back home what is possible when they step into the cage and dare to dream.
