Joshua Van
{{short description|American mixed martial artist}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Joshua Van
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =Joshua Van Bawi Thawng
| other_names = The Fearless
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|10|10}}
| birth_place = Hakha, Myanmar
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 5 ft 5 in
| weight_lb = 125
| weight_class = Flyweight
| style =
| rank =
| fighting_out_of = Houston, Texas, U.S.
| nationality = American
Burmese{{efn|Expatriate}}
| stance = Orthodox{{Cite web |title=Stats {{!}} UFC |url=http://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/17e97649403ba428 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.ufcstats.com}}
| trainer =
| team = 4oz. Fight Club
| years_active = 2021–present
| kickbox_win =
| kickbox_kowin =
| kickbox_loss =
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| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 6
| mma_subwin = 2
| mma_decwin = 5
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| am_label =
| am_win =
| am_kowin =
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| am_subloss =
| am_draw =
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| box_kowin =
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| other =
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| spouse =
| relatives =
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| url =
| boxrec =
| sherdog = 365973
}}
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng{{Cite web |title=Joshua Van ("The Fearless") {{!}} MMA Fighter Page |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/254261-joshua-thawng |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Tapology |language=en}} (born October 10, 2001), known professionally as Joshua Van, is a Burmese and American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 25, 2025, he is #14 in the UFC flyweight rankings.{{Cite web |title=UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions {{!}} UFC.com |url=https://www.ufc.com/rankings |access-date=2025-03-25|website=UFC.com}}
Early life and background
Joshua Van was born Bawi Thawng in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar to a family of five siblings. Due to the SPDC junta in Myanmar, his family relocated to Malaysia when he was ten years old in search of better opportunities.
At the age of twelve, Van and his family moved to Houston, Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-joshua-van-myanmar-burmese-fighter-journey|title=Burmese fighter: Joshua Van details pioneering journey to plant Myanmar's flag on UFC turf|date=July 4, 2023}}
Mixed martial arts career
= Early career =
Van made his professional MMA debut in 2021, He fought exclusively for Fury Fighting Championship, where he acquired a 7-1 recording including in the main event of Fury FC 72 on December 18, 2022, where he submitted Cleveland McLean in the second round to win the promotion's Flyweight title.{{Cite web|url=https://mmasucka.com/fury-fc-72-results/|title=Fury FC 72 Results - MMASucka|date=December 18, 2022}}
= Ultimate Fighting Championship =
Before his debut, Van was scheduled to face Kevin Borjas on August 8, 2023, at Dana White's Contender Series 57, but he was pulled in order to face Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC on ABC 5 on June 24, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander K. |date=2023-06-15 |title=Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs. Felipe Bunes off UFC Vegas 75, Zhumagulov to fight Joshua Van at UFC Jacksonville |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/6/15/23762652/zhalgas-zhumagulov-vs-felipe-bunes-off-ufc-vegas-75-zhumagulov-to-fight-joshua-van-ufc-jacksonville |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} He won the
The bout between Van and Borjas was rescheduled on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295.{{cite web |date=2023-08-14 |title=Kevin Borjas UFC Debut Reported vs Joshua Van at UFC 295 Event |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/kevin-borjas-ufc-debut-vs-joshua-van-ufc-295/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2023-11-11 |title=UFC 295: Joshua Van Takes Decision Over Kevin Borjas in Active Scrap
|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/11/11/ufc-295-joshua-van-takes-decision-kevin-borjas-in-active-scrap/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Van faced Felipe Bunes, replacing Denys Bondar on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-22 |title=First UFC event of 2024 hit with multiple changes
|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-schedule-2024-vegas-apex-van-semelsberger-santos |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight by second-round technical knockout.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2024-01-13 |title=Joshua Van Gets First Octagon Finish Over Felipe Bunes at UFC Vegas 84
|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/01/13/ufc-vegas-84-joshua-van-felipe-bunes/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Van was scheduled to face Lucas Rocha, replacing Jose Johnson on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240.{{Cite web |last=Riggs |first=Drake |date=2024-03-12 |title=Morning Report: Demetrious Johnson believes Anthony Joshua would also beat Francis Ngannou in MMA
|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/3/12/24096932/morning-report-demetrious-johnson-believes-anthony-joshua-would-also-beat-francis-ngannou-mma |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} However, Rocha withdrew due to injury and the bout was scrapped.{{Cite web |title=UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2
|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/108721-ufc-fight-night |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Tapology |language=en-US}}
Van was scheduled to face Su Mudaerji on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=Joshua Van faces Su Mudaerji at UFC 302
|url=https://asianmma.com/joshua-van-faces-su-mudaerji-at-ufc-302/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Asian MMA |language=en}} However, Su pulled out in late April due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Tatsuro Taira.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Joshua Van Announces UFC 302 Bout Against Su Mudaerji Has Been Canceled
|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Joshua-Van-Announces-UFC-302-Bout-Against-Su-Mudaerji-Has-Been-Canceled-193418 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Tatsuro Taira fills UFC 302 opening, fights Joshua Van
|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/04/ufc-302-tatsuro-taira-vs-joshua-van-fight-card |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} In turn, both fighters were moved to UFC on ESPN 58 on June 15, 2024 and Van ended up being scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov instead.{{Cite web |last=Riggs |first=Drake |date=2024-05-13 |title=Shake-up! UFC Vegas 93 re-arranges matchups, Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira now headlines
|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2024/5/13/24155839/shake-up-ufc-vegas-93-re-arranges-matchups-alex-perez-vs-tatsuro-taira-now-headlines-mma |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}} However, the bout was cancelled when Ulanbekov weighed in at 129.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-14 |title=UFC on ESPN 58 weigh-in results: Ranked flyweight misses mark by 3.5 pounds, fight scrapped
|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/06/ufc-espn-58-las-vegas-alex-perez-vs-tatsuro-taira-weigh-in-results-live-stream |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}
Van faced Charles Johnson on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-07-04 |title=UFC Denver Gets Joshua Van vs. Charles Johnson
|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/04/ufc-denver-gets-joshua-van-vs-charles-johnson/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-07-13 |title=UFC Denver: Charles Johnson Flattens Joshua Van with Uppercut
|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/13/ufc-denver-charles-johnson-flattens-joshua-van-with-uppercut/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Van faced Édgar Cháirez, replacing Kevin Borjas on September 14, 2024, at UFC 306.{{Cite web |last=Meshew |first=Jed |date=2024-09-03 |title=Kevin Borjas out of UFC 306, Joshua Van steps in against Edgar Chairez
|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/9/3/24235310/kevin-borjas-out-of-ufc-306-joshua-van-steps-in-against-edgar-chairez |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2024-09-14 |title=UFC 306: Scrappy Fight Sees Joshua Van Win Decision Against Edgar Chairez
|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/14/ufc-306-scrappy-fight-sees-joshua-van-win-decision-against-edgar-chairez/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Van faces Cody Durden on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-10-08 |title=Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van Flyweight Fight Added to UFC 310 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/08/cody-durden-vs-joshua-van-flyweight-fight-added-to-ufc-310/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Hester |first=Bryson |date=2024-12-07 |title=UFC 310: Joshua Van Looks Sharp Against Cody Durden |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/12/07/ufc-310-joshua-van-looks-sharp-against-cody-durden/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Van was scheduled to face Bruno Gustavo da Silva on March 8, 2025, at UFC 313.{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2025-01-02 |title=UFC 313 lands 3 new matchups for March event |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/1/2/24334490/ufc-313-lands-new-matchups-march-ppv-event |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} However, Silva pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Road to UFC Season 2 flyweight winner Rei Tsuruya.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/2/17/24367343/bruno-silva-out-of-ufc-313-rei-tsuruya-steps-in-against-joshua-van|title=Bruno Silva out of UFC 313, Rei Tsuruya steps in against Joshua Van|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Jed Meshew|date=2025-02-17|access-date=2025-02-17}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-313-Prelims-Joshua-Van-Stymies-OneDimensional-Rei-Tsuruya-in-Las-Vegas-196348|title=UFC 313 Prelims: Joshua Van Stymies One-Dimensional Rei Tsuruya in Las Vegas|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Brian Knapp|date=2025-03-08|access-date=2025-03-08}}
Van's bout with Bruno Gustavo da Silva has been re-scheduled to take place on June 7, 2025 at UFC 316.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Joshua-Van-vs-Bruno-Silva-Rebooked-for-UFC-316-196501|title=Joshua Van vs. Bruno Silva Rebooked for UFC 316|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2025-03-26|access-date=2025-03-26}}
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Highest significant strikes landed per minute in UFC history (8.10){{cite web|url=http://statleaders.ufc.com|title=UFC Records - All Fighters|website=statleaders.ufc.com|access-date=2025-03-09}}
- Highest striking differential in UFC Flyweight division history (2.86){{cite web|url=http://statleaders.ufc.com/?weight_class=FLW|title=UFC Records - Flyweight|website=statleaders.ufc.com|access-date=2025-03-01}}
- Sixth most significant strikes landed in UFC Flyweight division history (768)
- Seventh most total strikes landed in UFC Flyweight division history (1016)
- Fifth highest significant strike accuracy in UFC Flyweight division history (54.6%)
- Fury Fighting Championship
- Fury FC Flyweight Championship (One time; former)
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=6
|ko-losses=1
|sub-wins=2
|sub-losses=1
|dec-wins=5
|dec-losses=
|nc=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–2
|Rei Tsuruya
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2025|March|8}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2024|December|7}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11–2
|Édgar Cháirez
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2024|September|14}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–2
|KO (punches)
|UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez
|{{dts|2024|July|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|0:20
|Denver, Colorado, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–1
|Felipe Bunes
|TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2
|{{dts|2024|January|13}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:31
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–1
|Kevin Borjas
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2023|November|11}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|New York City, New York, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–1
|Decision (split)
|UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria
|{{dts|2023|June|24}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–1
|Cleveland McLean
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Fury FC 72
|{{dts|2022|December|18}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:49
|Houston, Texas, United States
|{{small|Won the vacant Fury FC Flyweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–1
|Paris Moran
|TKO (punches)
|Fury FC 67
|{{dts|2022|August|14}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:36
|Houston, Texas, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–1
|Mario Suazo
|Submission (calf slicer)
|Fury FC 62
|{{dts|2022|May|15}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:23
|Castle Rock, Colorado, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–1
|Angelo Trujillo
|KO (head kick)
|Fury FC 60
|{{dts|2022|April|24}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:36
|Houston, Texas, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–1
|Francisco Obando
|TKO (punches)
|Fury FC 57
|{{dts|2022|February|11}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:08
|Humble, Texas, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|2–1
|Devon Jackson
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Fury FC 55
|{{dts|2021|December|19}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:58
|Houston, Texas, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Chase Eastham
|TKO (punches)
|Fury FC 54
|{{dts|2021|November|21}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:24
|Houston, Texas, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Tony Esquivel
|KO (knee to the body)
|Fury FC 52
|{{dts|2021|October|17}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:14
|Houston, Texas, United States
|{{small|Flyweight debut.}}
{{end}}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}