Joshua Van
Updated: 12/20/2025, 2:41:31 PM Wikipedia source
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng (born October 10, 2001) is a Burmese and American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Flyweight Champion. Van is the first fighter from Myanmar to sign with the promotion, becoming the UFC's first Asian-born male champion at UFC 323. He is also the first fighter born in the 2000s to win a UFC title. As of December 16, 2025, he is #12 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.
Infobox
Born
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng (2001-10-10) October 10, 2001 (age 24)Hakha, Chin, Myanmar
Other names
The Fearless
Nationality
Burmese[a]American
Height
5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight
125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division
Flyweight
Reach
65 in (165 cm)
Fighting out of
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Team
4oz. Fight Club
Years active
2021–present
Total
18
Wins
16
By knockout
1
By submission
1
By decision
6
Losses
2
Tables
Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
18 matches
By knockout
16 wins
8
2 losses
1
By submission
By submission
18 matches
By submission
16 wins
2
2 losses
1
By decision
By decision
18 matches
By decision
16 wins
6
2 losses
0
| 18 matches | 16 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
· Mixed martial arts record
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–2
Opponent
Alexandre Pantoja
Method
TKO (arm injury)
Event
UFC 323
Date
December 6, 2025
Round
1
Time
0:26
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Won the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–2
Opponent
Brandon Royval
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 317
Date
June 28, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–2
Opponent
Bruno Gustavo da Silva
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC 316
Date
June 7, 2025
Round
3
Time
4:01
Location
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–2
Opponent
Rei Tsuruya
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 313
Date
March 8, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–2
Opponent
Cody Durden
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 310
Date
December 7, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–2
Opponent
Édgar Cháirez
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 306
Date
September 14, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
10–2
Opponent
Charles Johnson
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez
Date
July 13, 2024
Round
3
Time
0:20
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–1
Opponent
Felipe Bunes
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2
Date
January 13, 2024
Round
2
Time
4:31
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–1
Opponent
Kevin Borjas
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 295
Date
November 11, 2023
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
New York City, New York, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–1
Opponent
Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria
Date
June 24, 2023
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–1
Opponent
Cleveland McLean
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Fury FC 72
Date
December 18, 2022
Round
2
Time
4:49
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Notes
Won the vacant Fury FC Flyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–1
Opponent
Paris Moran
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Fury FC 67
Date
August 14, 2022
Round
2
Time
0:36
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–1
Opponent
Mario Suazo
Method
Submission (calf slicer)
Event
Fury FC 62
Date
May 15, 2022
Round
2
Time
4:23
Location
Castle Rock, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–1
Opponent
Angelo Trujillo
Method
KO (head kick)
Event
Fury FC 60
Date
April 24, 2022
Round
1
Time
1:36
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–1
Opponent
Francisco Obando
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Fury FC 57
Date
February 11, 2022
Round
1
Time
3:08
Location
Humble, Texas, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
2–1
Opponent
Devon Jackson
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Fury FC 55
Date
December 19, 2021
Round
2
Time
4:58
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Chase Eastham
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Fury FC 54
Date
November 21, 2021
Round
2
Time
3:24
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Tony Esquivel
Method
TKO (knees to the body)
Event
Fury FC 52
Date
October 17, 2021
Round
2
Time
2:14
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Notes
Flyweight debut.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 16–2 | Alexandre Pantoja | TKO (arm injury) | UFC 323 | December 6, 2025 | 1 | 0:26 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the UFC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–2 | Brandon Royval | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 317 | June 28, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 14–2 | Bruno Gustavo da Silva | TKO (punches) | UFC 316 | June 7, 2025 | 3 | 4:01 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Rei Tsuruya | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 313 | March 8, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–2 | Cody Durden | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 310 | December 7, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Édgar Cháirez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 306 | September 14, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Charles Johnson | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez | July 13, 2024 | 3 | 0:20 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Felipe Bunes | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 | January 13, 2024 | 2 | 4:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Kevin Borjas | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 295 | November 11, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Zhalgas Zhumagulov | Decision (split) | UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria | June 24, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Cleveland McLean | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fury FC 72 | December 18, 2022 | 2 | 4:49 | Houston, Texas, United States | Won the vacant Fury FC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–1 | Paris Moran | TKO (punches) | Fury FC 67 | August 14, 2022 | 2 | 0:36 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Mario Suazo | Submission (calf slicer) | Fury FC 62 | May 15, 2022 | 2 | 4:23 | Castle Rock, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Angelo Trujillo | KO (head kick) | Fury FC 60 | April 24, 2022 | 1 | 1:36 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Francisco Obando | TKO (punches) | Fury FC 57 | February 11, 2022 | 1 | 3:08 | Humble, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Devon Jackson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fury FC 55 | December 19, 2021 | 2 | 4:58 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Chase Eastham | TKO (punches) | Fury FC 54 | November 21, 2021 | 2 | 3:24 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Tony Esquivel | TKO (knees to the body) | Fury FC 52 | October 17, 2021 | 2 | 2:14 | Houston, Texas, United States | Flyweight debut. |
· External links
Preceded byAlexandre Pantoja
Preceded byAlexandre Pantoja
Awards and achievements
Preceded byAlexandre Pantoja
Awards and achievements
8th UFC Flyweight Champion December 6, 2025 – present
Awards and achievements
Incumbent
| Awards and achievements | ||
| Preceded byAlexandre Pantoja | 8th UFC Flyweight Champion December 6, 2025 – present | Incumbent |
References
- Expatriate
- Tapologyhttps://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/254261-joshua-thawng
- www.ufcstats.comhttp://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/17e97649403ba428
- www.ufc.comhttps://www.ufc.com/rankings
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-joshua-van-myanmar-burmese-fighter-journey
- The Playoffshttps://theplayoffs.news/en/where-is-joshua-van-from-and-what-is-his-ethnicity/
- "Fury FC 72 Results - MMASucka"https://mmasucka.com/fury-fc-72-results/
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2023/6/15/23762652/zhalgas-zhumagulov-vs-felipe-bunes-off-ufc-vegas-75-zhumagulov-to-fight-joshua-van-ufc-jacksonville
- "UFC Jacksonville: Newcomer Josh Van Arrives, Takes Split Decision Against Zhalgas Zhumagulov"https://cagesidepress.com/2023/06/24/ufc-jacksonville-zhalgas-zhumagulov-vs-josh-van/
- www.itnwwe.comhttps://www.itnwwe.com/mma/kevin-borjas-ufc-debut-vs-joshua-van-ufc-295/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/11/11/ufc-295-joshua-van-takes-decision-kevin-borjas-in-active-scrap/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-schedule-2024-vegas-apex-van-semelsberger-santos
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/01/13/ufc-vegas-84-joshua-van-felipe-bunes/
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2024/3/12/24096932/morning-report-demetrious-johnson-believes-anthony-joshua-would-also-beat-francis-ngannou-mma
- Tapologyhttps://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/108721-ufc-fight-night
- Asian MMAhttps://asianmma.com/joshua-van-faces-su-mudaerji-at-ufc-302/
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Joshua-Van-Announces-UFC-302-Bout-Against-Su-Mudaerji-Has-Been-Canceled-193418
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/04/ufc-302-tatsuro-taira-vs-joshua-van-fight-card
- MMAmania.comhttps://www.mmamania.com/2024/5/13/24155839/shake-up-ufc-vegas-93-re-arranges-matchups-alex-perez-vs-tatsuro-taira-now-headlines-mma
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/06/ufc-espn-58-las-vegas-alex-perez-vs-tatsuro-taira-weigh-in-results-live-stream
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/04/ufc-denver-gets-joshua-van-vs-charles-johnson/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/13/ufc-denver-charles-johnson-flattens-joshua-van-with-uppercut/
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2024/9/3/24235310/kevin-borjas-out-of-ufc-306-joshua-van-steps-in-against-edgar-chairez
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/14/ufc-306-scrappy-fight-sees-joshua-van-win-decision-against-edgar-chairez/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/08/cody-durden-vs-joshua-van-flyweight-fight-added-to-ufc-310/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/12/07/ufc-310-joshua-van-looks-sharp-against-cody-durden/
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2025/1/2/24334490/ufc-313-lands-new-matchups-march-ppv-event
- "Bruno Silva out of UFC 313, Rei Tsuruya steps in against Joshua Van"https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/2/17/24367343/bruno-silva-out-of-ufc-313-rei-tsuruya-steps-in-against-joshua-van
- "UFC 313 Prelims: Joshua Van Stymies One-Dimensional Rei Tsuruya in Las Vegas"https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-313-Prelims-Joshua-Van-Stymies-OneDimensional-Rei-Tsuruya-in-Las-Vegas-196348
- "Joshua Van vs. Bruno Silva Rebooked for UFC 316"https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Joshua-Van-vs-Bruno-Silva-Rebooked-for-UFC-316-196501
- "UFC 316: Joshua Van Slices Through Bruno Silva for TKO Victory"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/06/07/ufc-316-joshua-van-slices-through-bruno-silva-for-tko-victory/
- "Manel Kape breaks foot; Brandon Royval, Joshua Van agree to UFC 317 fight"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/06/09/ufc-317-joshua-van-vs-brandon-royval-manel-kape-broken-foot/84121627007/
- "Joshua Van Takes Decision Over Royval In FOTY Candidate"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/06/28/joshua-van-takes-decision-over-royval-in-foty-candidate/
- "UFC 317 Bonus Report: Joshua Van and Brandon Royval earn FOTN honors"https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-317/ufc-317-bonus-report-joshua-van-and-brandon-royval-earn-fotn-honors/
- "UFC 317 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria raises bar for two-division title club"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/06/29/ufc-317-post-event-facts-ilia-topuria-history-two-division-champions-record/84381262007/
- "UFC title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van official"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/10/13/ufc-323-alexandre-pantoja-vs-joshua-van-booked-title-fight/85850593007/
- "UFC 323 results, highlights: Joshua Van becomes second-youngest UFC champ after Alexandre Pantoja injury"https://www.cbssports.com/ufc/news/ufc-323-results-highlights-joshua-van-champion-alexandre-pantoja-injury/
- talkSPORThttps://talksport.com/mma/3799149/alexandre-pantoja-injury-joshua-van-result-fight-ufc-323/
- "UFC 323: Gruesome injury quickly ends Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/12/07/ufc-323-joshua-van-alexandre-pantoja-flyweight-title-injury-tko/87652492007/
- "Joshua Van Promises To Win UFC Title Before End of 2025, Lacks Respect For Alexandre Pantoja"https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1112&v=BUWQ2bWcuqg&feature=youtu.be
- Joshua Van thought he was gonna be a preacherhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6t3EA8qvEg
- "Joshua Van on New Fame and UFC Life: "Cameras Follow Me to Church, But I'm Locked In on the Fight""https://www.mmanews.com/news/joshua-van-on-new-fame-and-ufc-life-cameras-follow-me-to-church-but-im-locked-in-on-the-fight/
- MMA Mania: UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fightshttps://www.mmamania.com/ufc-323-fight-card-start-time-live-results-merab-vs-yan-2-mma/406958/cheat-meals-ufc-323-title-challenger-joshua-van-crushes-fast-food-while-in-training-camp-tired-of-eating-healthy
- "UFC 323 post-event facts: Alexandre Pantoja makes dubious history"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/12/07/ufc-323-post-event-facts-alexandre-pantoja-historic-title-loss-joshua-van/87617647007/
- statleaders.ufc.comhttps://statleaders.ufc.com/en/fight?weight_class=FLW
- statleaders.ufc.comhttp://statleaders.ufc.com
- statleaders.ufc.comhttp://statleaders.ufc.com/?weight_class=FLW
- UFChttps://www.ufc.com/news/fights-2025-half-year-awards
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Joshua-Van-365973