PFL Africa star and Mzansi's Justin Clarke mean business

If there were any doubts surrounding Justin Clarke’s (4-0) legitimacy as a contender for the PFL Africa Heavyweight title, he certainly put them to bed.

Just last weekend, in beautiful Kigali, Rwanda, South Africa’s MMA star delivered a statement win at the PFL Africa Semifinals when he stopped the dangerous and highly experienced Cameroonian Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-2) in the third round of their knockout fight.

It was a big moment for the South African, who will now compete for the PFL Africa Heavyweight gold, $100,000, and an opportunity to enter the global Professional Fighters League tournament, where he’ll mix it up with the world’s elite heavyweights.

Coming into the very first PFL Africa event in July — with a record of two wins in two fights against the likes of Willem Smith (1-10) and Boyka Kabangu (1-2) — it was hard for MMA fans and some media at the inaugural PFL Africa press conference to gauge the true potential of the South African, who was clearly the “newbie” of the division among his peers gathered at the glamorous Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town’s Foreshore.

Clarke’s Journey Among Experienced Campaigners: A Quiet Confidence in Combat Sports

Among Clarke’s peers were more experienced campaigners, including former World Sambo Champion and 2024 PFL Playoffs star Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1 at the time), Mikael Groguhe (6-2), Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1), former EFC Heavyweight title contender and Bellator athlete Joffie Houlton (7-4), and 2023 PFL Challenger Series contract winner Abraham Bably (5-2).

Despite not having as many fights as his peers, Clarke carried an aura that spoke of quiet confidence — a man backing his abilities and his years of preparation in combat sports.

“Yes, I saw this happening,” said Clarke after his PFL Africa Semifinal win at the picturesque BK Arena. “I’ve been training for this my whole life. I’ve been a martial artist for 11 years now, and I visualised it. I was aware that he had more experience, but you can’t just look at that. Every fight is different, and I knew I had a more technical game when it came to striking,” said Clarke.

Fighting out of the world-renowned CIT Institute in Pretoria, Clarke has an impressive résumé that’s gone largely unnoticed.

From Kyokushin Karate to PFL Africa Heavyweight Final: Clarke’s Journey and Triumph

What started as a journey in Kyokushin Karate transitioned into kickboxing, where Clarke thrived. In 2017, he won his first WAKO SA Championship before earning further honours in 2022 by clinching the WAKO African title. He then shifted into the fast-growing world of MMA and hasn’t looked back since, jumping straight into the professional game.

A big part of Clarke’s arsenal is his durability, strong cardio, and heart — qualities that, when combined with his solid skill set and deep bag of tools, make him a rare athlete. Clarke showcased that trademark toughness in Kigali — a quality synonymous with CIT — especially in the third round when the gas tanks began to fade.

In what was undoubtedly a contender for Fight of the Night, both athletes thrilled the crowd at BK Arena with a high-paced, back-and-forth battle that showcased elite-level striking and championship-calibre grit. The action remained largely on the feet, with just one takedown recorded — a first-round effort from Nana — as the two heavyweights traded heavy shots, technical combinations, and punishing kicks throughout the contest.

Clarke displayed impressive cardio and composure under fire. As the bout entered the third round, the South African’s relentless pressure and conditioning began to wear on Nana, ultimately forcing the Cameroonian to verbally concede — securing Clarke the victory and a place in the PFL Africa Heavyweight Final.

“I backed myself and went in with every bit of confidence I had to make sure I brought it to him. Even if I was going to lose, I wasn’t going down easy. I was going to go down putting on a show,” said Clarke. “No matter how hard you hit, I’ve got one focus — to push forward. Even if I have to step back to take a breather, it’s only so I can push forward again. That was it — just keep moving forward and keep hitting where I can, taking advantage of his lead leg, which started paying off for me. That was solid. I haven’t been in deep waters like that in my life before, so hats off to Maxwell — he’s a warrior. Thank you.”

“At CIT, we’re known for training hard and fighting easy. It’s a world-renowned gym, and we push each other,” said Clarke, who trains alongside former UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. “We push ourselves daily, and we’re known for our grit, perseverance, and resilience. So, most definitely, my training at my home gym helped me.”

Clarke will now face Ivorian Abraham Bably in the inaugural PFL Africa Heavyweight Final on 20 December in Benin.

Stay tuned to IOL Sport and MzansiMMA for more updates.

IOL Sport