When Justin Clarke stepped into the SmartCage in Kigali for the PFL Africa Semifinals, he wasn’t just fighting for a win—he was fighting to cement his place among the continent’s elite. And he delivered. Again.
Only months into his professional career, the undefeated Team CIT standout has proven he’s not just talented—he’s exceptional. After finishing all three of his previous opponents, Clarke entered the Heavyweight Semifinal with momentum, confidence, and the grit that defines CIT athletes.
Across three high-intensity rounds, he showcased not only his power and precision but also championship-level composure. The result? A statement victory and a ticket to the 2025 PFL Africa Heavyweight Final.
A High-Stakes Clash: Clarke vs. Djantou Nana
Maxwell Djantou Nana entered the bout with a fearsome reputation: a knockout machine with finishes in every professional win. Riding a seven-fight streak, the Cameroonian powerhouse was expected to be a major test.
Clarke accepted that test—and pushed the pace from the start.
Round 1: Weathering the Storm
Nana opened aggressively with low kicks and heavy punches, backing Clarke up early. But Clarke stayed disciplined, answering with crisp combinations and tactical kicks. As the round progressed, he settled into his rhythm, defending the takedown and keeping the pressure consistent.
Round 2: Shifting Momentum
The second round was where Clarke’s world-class conditioning and striking variety began to separate him. Mixing inside and outside leg kicks, clean one-twos, and sharp counter-attacks, Clarke slowly dismantled Nana’s forward pressure. Even when Nana found moments of success, Clarke responded with poise and precision.
Round 3: The Breakthrough
With both heavyweights digging deep, Clarke surged forward with relentless combinations and targeted leg kicks. The pressure mounted. Nana began to fade. And at 3:09 of Round 3, under a barrage of strikes, Nana verbally submitted—making Clarke the winner in dramatic fashion.
Team CIT’s heavyweight had arrived.
Next Opponent: Abraham Bably Awaits
Standing between Clarke and the first-ever PFL Africa Heavyweight Championship is Ivory Coast’s Abraham Bably—an explosive, well-rounded competitor with a reputation for fast starts and heavy finishes.
Bably enters the final off a dominant first-round stoppage of Nigeria’s Joffie Houlton. He’s powerful. He’s experienced. And he’s dangerous everywhere.
But Clarke is a different kind of threat.
He carries knockout power of his own, exceptional conditioning, a deep technical arsenal, and a relentless competitive mindset sharpened daily inside CIT Performance Institute.
This matchup is everything heavyweight MMA promises: power, pressure, and the pursuit of greatness.
A Historic Final Awaits in December
The 2025 PFL Africa Finals, set for 20 December in Benin, will crown Africa’s first champions across four divisions. For Justin Clarke, it’s more than a fight—it’s an opportunity to usher in a new era of African heavyweight talent and proudly represent Team CIT on the continental stage.
This is the moment he’s been building toward since day one. And he’s ready.
Team CIT Stands Behind Justin Clarke
At CIT Performance Institute, we’re incredibly proud to see Justin’s work ethic, discipline, and heart turning into undeniable results. His rise is a testament to what happens when elite coaching, a powerful training environment, and a relentless inner drive collide.
The continent is watching. The division is on notice.
And Justin Clarke is just getting started.
