Justin Clarke’s Striking Output Earns Him Spot In PFL Africa Heavyweight Final

Maxwell Djantou Nana is a knockout machine, having scored KOs in every single one of his victories up until his PFL Africa First Round matchup. In fact, Nana has won seven straight since dropping his July 2022 MMA debut. After a showcase bout for his PFL debut, Nana defeated Mickael Groguhe to advance to tonight’s Semifinals.

Justin Clarke has already found success despite only making his professional debut in May 2024. Clarke has scored three finishes in three fights. The Team CIT product made Jashell Ticha Awa quit on the stool after one round in their first-round matchup this past summer.

Who will go on to face Abraham Bably in the finals of the Heavyweight tournament?

Round 1

The two meet in the center. Low kick by Djantou Nana. Another low kick, and Clarke responds. Left hand by Djantou Nana. Clarke with a high kick. Plenty of low kicks from Clarke. Djantou Nana looks for a left to the body. Overhand left misses for Djantou Nana. Low kick by Clarke. Clarke misses a right hand. Low kicks from both men. Right hand by Djantou Nana. Clarke lands a strong combination to back up Djantou Nana. Left jabs by Djantou Nana. Low kicks from both men. Clarke misses a high kick.

Clarke lands an overhand, and we get a clinch battle. Djantou Nana presses Clarke against the fence, and he lands knees to the thigh. Right hands by Clarke. Djantou Nana is able to get the takedown. Clarke tries to scramble to his feet, but Djantou Nana has a hold of his back. Big right hands from Djantou Nana. Djantou Nana with a low kick. Left hands from both men. Djantou Nana trips Clarke up with a low kick, and he follows with a couple of shots to the top of the head. Low kick by Djantou Nana. An exchange between the two.

Round 2

Low kicks from Clarke. Spinning kick attack from Clarke. Clarke runs into a big left. After a clinch, Djantou Nana lands a big kick to the head. Djantou Nana with a body kick. Low kicks from Clarke. Body jab by Djantou Nana. Clarke misses an overhand right. Body kick by Djantou Nana. Both land low kicks. One-two by Clarke. Djantou Nana lands a big right hand. Inside leg kick by Djantou Nana, and Clarke lands a couple of outside ones. Clarke with inside combinations. Leg kick by Clarke. Head kick by Clarke. 

Djantou Nana gets Clarke to the fence. He lands a few shots, but Clarke lands left hands. Low kick by Djantou Nana. Clarke returns fire. Both throwing inside shots. Clarke backs Djantou Nana up. Clarke lands a solid right hand. Front kick to the body. Kicks from both men. Djantou Nana lands a right hand. Clarke comes forward with a spinning backfist. Low kicks from Clarke. Another one and a right hand by Clarke. Clarke with a knee. Clarke is the one bringing the pressure now. One-two by Djantou Nana and a knee. Left hand and right from Djantou Nana. Left hand puts Clarke’s head back. Another left hand from Djantou Nana.

Round 3

Kicks from Clarke to start things off, followed by working of the jab and landing to the body. Right hands from both men that land. Djantou Nana barely misses the overhand. Djantou Nana misses a back kick. Front kick to the body by Clarke. Djantou Nana shoots in and gets Clarke to the fence. Clarke defends and grabs a hold of the neck of Djantou Nana. Combination by Clarke. Overhand right by Clarke. Djantou Nana with a knee up the middle. One-two by Clarke. Low kick by Djantou Nana. The two exchange leg kicks. Clarke with the left hand. Leg kicks again from Clarke, which Djantou Nana responds with a knee.

Clarke with a clinch of Djantou Nana against the fence. Spinning backfist by Djantou Nana, but it misses. Clarke lands on Djantou Nana against the fence. Clarke with another right hand. Clarke with low kicks. Left hand by Clarke seems to put Djantou Nana down. The ref steps in! Wow! It’s over! Replay shows Nana waved to the ref – a verbal submission due to strikes!

Justin Clarke, next stop: The PFL Africa Heavyweight Final!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Justin Clarke def. Maxwell Djantou Nana via TKO [verbal submission] (strikes) (R3, 3:09) in a Heavyweight Semifinal Bout.