Justin Clarke: from karate to South African MMA star
Many of the world’s best mixed martial artists began their journey in combat sports long before jumping into an MMA cage. Justin Clarke was no different, starting his martial arts days at the age of 14 with karate.
“I have always been heavily involved in sports since I could walk. As far as martial arts go, I started Kyokushin Karate in Swaziland when I was 11 years old,” began Justin Clarke. “After four years we moved countries and I had to give it up, but the itch still remained. After twelve years of more sports such as university rugby, powerlifting and amateur strongman, I eventually found my way back to martial arts in the form of K1 and kickboxing.”
“I competed as an amateur for nine years and eventually represented South Africa from 2017 – 2022. I became African Champion in 2022,” Justin Clarke continued. “I had been looking for Pro K1 for a few years, but couldn’t find any fights locally. One day, while sparring with Dricus du Plessis, his coach Morné Visser spoke to me and asked if I wanted to give MMA a try… and I did.”
Justin Clarke: Refining the game
Justin Clarke would refine his game after that sparring session with Team CIT, based in Pretoria, South Africa. Team CIT is home to former UFC champion Dricus du Plessis, as well as former EFC champion Adam Speechly and another former EFC champion in David Buirski. For Clarke, there have been many who have contributed to the various successes within his MMA game. “Pat Carney helped me with kickboxing and K1, Jacques Wagner helped me a lot with kickboxing, K1, BJJ and MMA, and Morné Visser helped me integrate everything into MMA,” he said.
Justin Clarke’s meteoric rise up the MMA ladder
In less than two years as a professional fighter, Justin Clarke has already made waves in the sport in his country, South Africa. His debut came in May 2024, where he played a 34 second knockout win at EFC 113.
His next three matches would all end in early stoppages in his favor, two of which came in the first round of action. In December 2025, Justin Clarke would face the first roadblock of his career, suffering his first defeat at PFL Africa 4, which can be a make-or-break moment in a fighter’s career.
“As much as losing sucks, it’s something I accepted a long time ago in competition,” said Justin Clarke. By accepting I don’t mean turning around and accepting it, I just understand that it is a part of this sport, as it is in many sports. And it’s just like life: sometimes you don’t get what you want. So it doesn’t define me and I don’t let thoughts of my loss float around my head and distract me.”
“After all, I’m in the heavyweight division and one has to fall,” Justin Clarke continued. “That said, I never want to feel those feelings again! So I’m training my butt now. I’m determined to get back to that winning feeling.”
Justin Clarke: future champion
On April 16, Justin Clarke returns to the PFL cage with his sights set on the absolute destruction of the heavyweight division. A big win could put the South African back on track to eventually earn a title shot. So what can fans expect when the South African monster returns to action? ‘Absolute carnage. He [Abdoulaye Kane] is a big guy. I’m on my own property. Like hell, I’m going to let him win. I will give everything I have to take him down,” said Clarke.
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