Joshua Van is an elite mixed martial artist who made history as the first Myanmar-born fighter to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he currently holds the UFC Flyweight Championship. Known inside the Octagon by his moniker “The Fearless,” Van has rapidly ascended through the professional MMA ranks with a reputation for his relentless pressure, slick boxing, and unyielding cardio. By late 2025, his extraordinary title victory cemented him as one of the youngest champions in UFC history, becoming an inspirational figure for fans across the globe and particularly for the people of Myanmar.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Joshua Van
Nick Name	The Fearless
Profession	Professional Mixed Martial Artist
Birth Date	October 10, 2001
Age	24 years 7 months old
Birth Place	Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar
Nationality	American / Myanmar
Known For	UFC Flyweight Champion, Only Myanmar-born fighter in the UFC
Ethnicity	Asian (Chin)
Zodiac Sign	Libra
Height & Weight	5 ft 5 in (165 cm), 125 lbs (57 kg)
Reach	65 inches (165 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Qualification	High School
Religion	Private
Marital Status	Single
Spouse / Partner	Private
Children	None
Family Tree	Private
Hobbies	Traveling, training, spending time with friends
Current Work	Professional MMA Fighter (UFC Flyweight)
Years Active	2020 – Present

Early Life & Education

Joshua Van was born on October 10, 2001, in Hakha, the capital of Myanmar’s mountainous Chin State. His early childhood was marked by instability, prompting his family to flee the country when he was around nine years old. They initially relocated to Malaysia before eventually immigrating to the United States and settling in Houston, Texas, about two years later.

Adjusting to a new culture and language was a challenging experience for the young immigrant. Van has openly shared that he faced bullying during his school years, which became the catalyst for him to seek out self-defense classes. He discovered mixed martial arts as a teenager and fully dedicated himself to the sport. Realizing his potential in combat sports, Van chose to put traditional higher education on hold, recognizing that his path to a successful future and financial stability lay inside the cage.

Career Journey

Amateur Beginnings and Regional Success

Van began his amateur MMA career in December 2020. Training out of the 4oz Fight Club in Houston under head coach Daniel Pineda, he quickly developed a well-rounded skill set. His aggressive style and natural talent allowed him to tear through the regional circuits. A major milestone in his early career occurred at Fury FC 72 in December 2022, where he secured a submission victory over Cleveland McLean to capture the promotion’s Flyweight title.

Entering the Octagon

Van’s impressive regional run earned him a call-up to the UFC. He made his promotional debut at just 21 years old on June 24, 2023, defeating veteran Zhalgas Zhumagulov via a split decision. He followed up his debut with consecutive victories, showcasing his striking prowess by stopping Felipe Bunes and defeating Kevin Borjas.

The Path to the Title

The year 2024 proved to be a pivotal developmental period for Van. Despite suffering a knockout loss to Charles Johnson in July 2024, he rebounded with back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Edgar Chairez and Cody Durden, displaying remarkable resilience and maturity.

In early 2025, Van accelerated his title campaign. He secured key victories over Rei Tsuruya, Bruno Silva, and Brandon Royval, with the Royval bout widely considered a “Fight of the Year” contender due to its incredibly high striking volume.

Capturing UFC Gold

On December 6, 2025, at UFC 323, Joshua Van received his shot at the UFC Flyweight Championship against reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. In a shocking and abrupt finish, Van claimed the title via TKO just 26 seconds into the first round after Pantoja suffered a sudden arm injury. While the ending was anti-climactic, the victory officially crowned the 24-year-old Van as the second youngest champion in UFC history. Currently, he is slated to defend his title against undefeated Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira in May 2026.

Career Stats Summary

• Professional Record: 16-2-0 (Wins-Losses-Draws)
• Wins by Knockout: 8 (50%)
• Wins by Submission: 2 (13%)
• Wins by Decision: 6 (38%)
• Significant Strikes Landed per Minute (SLpM): 8.84
• Takedown Defense: 81%

Personal Life

Joshua Van leads a highly disciplined life that revolves almost entirely around his training camps at 4oz Fight Club. He keeps his dating life entirely private and has not publicly confirmed any relationships or affairs.

Despite his rigorous schedule—which previously included working out up to three times a day—he has recently learned to balance his lifestyle, taking time to travel and enjoy his youth between fights. A devoted son, Van proudly stated that one of his primary goals upon achieving UFC success was to buy a house for his mother, a goal he prioritized over typical young adult indulgences.

Controversies

Van’s career has been free of any major personal or legal scandals. His most notable public friction involved administrative disputes with the UFC regarding his representation. Early in his UFC tenure, Van expressed frustration over his inability to carry the Myanmar flag during his walkouts due to the promotion’s internal approval processes regarding international flags, firmly advocating for his right to represent his birth country on the global stage.

Awards & Achievements

• UFC Flyweight Champion (Won December 2025).
• Second Youngest Champion in UFC History.
• Fury FC Flyweight Champion (Regional Title).
• First Myanmar-Born Fighter to sign with and win a title in the UFC.
• Fight of the Night Honors: Earned for his high-paced bout against Brandon Royval at UFC 317.

Physical Statistics

• Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
• Weight: 125 lbs (57 kg)
• Reach: 65 inches (165 cm)
• Stance: Orthodox
• Hair Color: Black
• Eye Color: Dark Brown

Quotes

“Just send me the contract. I sign it, and then we fight.”

“Without UFC and without this fighting career, I would be nobody really, because education wise, I’m not in the position where I should get a good job or anything. So fighting really changed my life.”

“We don’t live like 23-year-olds are supposed to live. We give up a lot of fun and stuff like that, but I gained everything.”

Favorites

• Motivation: Providing financial security for his family.
• Fighting Style: High-pressure boxing and distance striking.
• Leisure Activity: Traveling with friends during the off-season to decompress from training camps.

Earnings

As a newly crowned UFC champion, Joshua Van’s financial trajectory has seen a massive upward swing. While early in his career he earned standard entry-level purses, his main event status and championship pay-per-view points have significantly boosted his income. As of early 2026, his estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $1 Million. In addition to his fight purses and performance bonuses, he generates income through athletic sponsorships and endorsements within the combat sports community.

Interesting Facts

• Street Fighting Origins: His nickname “The Fearless” originated from his teenage years when he occasionally participated in street fights before channeling his energy into professional martial arts.
• High-Volume Striker: Van boasts an incredibly high striking rate, landing an average of 8.84 significant strikes per minute, which ranks among the highest in the flyweight division.
• Gym Loyalty: He has remained fiercely loyal to the 4oz Fight Club in Houston, the very same gym where he began his MMA journey.

Did you know already?

Did you know that Joshua Van’s monumental UFC Flyweight title victory over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 lasted exactly 26 seconds? It stands as one of the fastest title fight conclusions in the history of the 125-pound division!

Social Media Links

Follow Joshua Van’s journey as the UFC Flyweight Champion, his training routines, and his life outside the cage through his official platforms:

• Instagram: @joshuavan_mma
• Twitter / X: @joshuavan_mma

FAQs

How old is Joshua Van?

Joshua Van was born on October 10, 2001, making him 24 years 7 months old years old.

Where is Joshua Van from?

He was born in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar. He later immigrated to the United States and currently lives and trains in Houston, Texas.

Is Joshua Van the UFC Champion?

Yes, as of December 2025, Joshua Van is the UFC Flyweight Champion after defeating Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323.

What is Joshua Van’s MMA record?

As of May 2026, his professional mixed martial arts record stands at 16 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws.

Conclusion

From fleeing his home country as a child and facing bullying in a new land, to capturing the most prestigious title in mixed martial arts, Joshua Van’s biography is a profound story of resilience and dedication. Operating as the sole representative of Myanmar in the UFC, his fearless fighting style and remarkable maturity have cemented him as a standout star of the new MMA generation. As he prepares to defend his title in 2026, the combat sports world will undoubtedly be watching to see how far “The Fearless” can go.