Joshua Van record and UFC career highlights

Many gamblers and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fans can instantly recognize the name Joshua Van. Renowned as the current UFC Flyweight Champion, Van’s success story is a testament to his youth and resilience as he is one of the emerging names in mixed martial arts (MMA). Despite Joshua Van’s popularity, many fans are interested in what is his age, height, current UFC record and who is going to be his next opponent.

Who is Joshua Van

Joshua Van is popular as one of the fastest rising stars in the UFC Flyweight Division and current Flyweight Champion. Joshua Van Bawi Thawng was born on October 10, 2001, in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar. Born in a family of five siblings, Joshua Van’s family moved from Myanmar to Malaysia when he was 10 years old. Then, several years later, his family relocated again, this time to Houston, Texas, United States.

Joshua Van’s career in MMA started in 2021. At the time, he fought in the Fury Fighting Championship, where he reached a 7-1 record. Dominating during the main event, Fury FC 72 on December 18, 2022, Joshua Van emerged as the winner after a bout with Cleveland McLean. In the bout, Van submitted McLean in the second round, ultimately winning the Flyweight title from the Fury Fighting Championship.

Then, 2023 marked Joshua Van’s UFC debut. Facing Zhalgas Zhumagulov on June 24, 2023, Joshua Van became the first Burmese fighter to sign with the UFC. During that fight, he won by a split decision.

From a rising star, Joshua Van became the UFC Flyweight Champion after winning a bout for the title against Alexandre Pantoja late in 2025. Moreover, Joshua Van UFC success continued as he successfully defended his title early in April 2026.

Joshua Van details at a glance

• Name: Joshua Van
• Full name: Joshua Van Bawi Thawng
• Date of birth: October 10, 2001
• Age: 24
• Nickname: "The Fearless"
• Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65m)
• Weight 125 lb (57 kg)
• Ethnicity: Burmese, American
• MMA record: 17-2-0
• Wins: 17
• Wins by knockout: 9
• Wins by submission: 2
• Wins by decision: 6
• Losses: 2
• Losses by knockout: 1
• Losses by submission: 1
• Current title: UFC Flyweight Champion
• Notable accomplishments: First Burmese-born UFC champion, First Asian-born male champion in UFC, First UFC champion born in the 2000s

Joshua Van age and height

Considering that he was born on October 10, 2001, Joshua Van is currently24years old. Joshua Van age is often referenced in online discussions, highlighting his unquestionable success despite his young age. At the same time, Joshua Van age attracts attention from the gambling sector too, in the context that young fighters can be unpredictable and rapidly improve their performance against tougher opponents.

Joshua Van height is 5 ft 5 in, while his weight is 125 lb, making him an excellent fit for the UFC Flyweight Division. Ultimately, Joshua Van stands out for his quick movement, fast striking combinations, exceptional endurance, high speed, and heavy hits. Not unexpectedly, Joshua Van height and reach are often referenced before fights and can sometimes influence betting lines.

Known by his nickname "The Fearless," Joshua Van demonstrates high energy and adaptability, qualities that complement his other physical attributes that make him a popular name among UFC fans and bettors alike. Considering his ability to maintain pressure over multiple rounds, Joshua Van is often considered by gamblers as a worthy pick for live betting options.

Where is Joshua Van from

Online discussions referencing Joshua Van ethnicity often focus on his Myanmar heritage. Joshua Van’s success as a UFC fighter has helped increase representation for Southeast Asian fighters in MMA, while highlighting his unique identity in the UFC Flyweight Division.

New fans of MMA are often unaware of where is Joshua Van from. While many may have difficulty finding Myanmar, the country where Joshua Van was born in, his rise as a champion and successful fighter helped him become the first Asian-born male champion in UFC history.

Joshua Van UFC success

After becoming the first Burmese fighter to sign with the UFC in 2023 and winning the fight against Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Joshua Van’s career as a professional fighter began. In the fights that followed, Joshua Van proved his exceptional skills, power and resilience, overcoming one opponent after another.

Notably, facing Felipe Bunes on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234, Joshua Van emerged as the winner after a technical knockout (TKO) in the second round. Continuing his UFC career, Joshua Van was scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov on June 15, 2024. However, the fight was cancelled after the latter weighed above the flyweight non-title fight limit.

Joshua Van UFC career hit a major milestone late in 2025. At the time, he faced Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 for the UFC Flyweight Championship on December 6, 2025. The Joshua Van vs Pantoja bout is often referenced in the context of the former’s lightning-fast win. In the Joshua Van vs Pantoja bout, Van emerged as the winner after a TKO completed 26 seconds into the first round. His opponent, Pantoja, sustained an injury to the arm after falling to the canvas as a counterattack executed by Van.

The Joshua Van vs Pantoja fight propelled the former’s career in the UFC as he was designated as the UFC Flyweight Champion. This made him the second-youngest UFC champion in history, the first fighter born in the 2000s to win a UFC title as well as the first Asian-born male UFC champion.

Another testament to Joshua Van UFC success is the defense of his title. Initially, he was scheduled to face Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026, to defend his Flyweight Champion title. However, Van had to withdraw from the bout due to an injury. Consequently, the fight was rescheduled to May 9, 2026, at UFC 328. After an intense fight against Taira, Joshua Van successfully defended his UFC title, winning the tournament with a TKO in the fifth round.

Joshua Van record and next fight

UFC fans and gamblers alike are often interested in Joshua Van record. According to official UFC data, Joshua Van record is 17-2-0. At the time of writing, no public information discloses who Joshua Van may meet next.

Most of Joshua Van’s fights usually last three rounds. An exception to this was the fight against Taira, which lasted five rounds and ultimately resulted in a win for Van. Another notable accomplishment is the Joshua Van vs Pantoja fight which lasted only 26 seconds.

Considering the Joshua Van record 17-2-0, it is clear that he has significant potential to continue accumulating experience and become a long-term force in the UFC Flyweight Division and beyond.

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