Fighter of the Month
Joshua Van
Born in Hakha, Myanmar, he spent part of his childhood in a refugee camp in Malaysia and reached Houston at 12. He is the only Myanmar-born fighter ever to compete in the UFC.
Houston
The new kid learned to fight first
He has said he fought almost every day as a small new arrival. Now he gets paid for it, in front of better judges.
Oct. 2021 · June 2023
Twenty months to the Octagon
He turned pro in October 2021, won the Fury FC belt in December 2022, and walked into the UFC in June 2023. Most knights take longer to find their horse.
July 2024 · Now
One loss, then eight straight
After a knockout loss to Charles Johnson in July 2024, he hasn't lost again: eight straight wins, including a title won and two title defenses.
UFC 323 · UFC 331
Won in 26 seconds, then won the long way
Pantoja's arm injury handed him the title at UFC 323. In the rematch, Van took all 25 minutes to settle it on the scorecards, and the fight earned Fight of the Night.
Sept. 19, 2026 · UFC 331
Defended on one good shoulder
Van said he tore the AC joint in his right shoulder about a month before UFC 331 and could barely spar in camp. He beat Pantoja anyway. No MRI results or recovery timeline have been reported.
See the timeline →
