The lone Burmese fighter in the UFC, Joshua Van, had an extremely impressive UFC rookie year in 2023, and in the new year he is hoping for more of the same.
This coming Saturday at UFC Vegas 84, the 22-year-old takes on promotional newcomer Felipe Bunes. The Brazilian is a former LFA flyweight champion, and was scheduled to make his UFC debut in June last year against Zhalgas Zhumagulov but pulled out on weigh-in day, due to medical issues.
Despite that, he shortly took to social media to explain that the real reason why his fight with Zhalgas fell through, was due to a positive drug test that needed to be further investigated.
“The Fearless” Van told Cageside Press that he wants his 2024 to be filled with activity, which subsequently leaves him in the top 15 rankings of the 125lb division by the end of 2024.
“That’s the main goal right there you know (finish the year in the rankings), as well as staying active. I want to fight at least five or six times if I can, if not at least four. If I can get at least four fights this year, that’d be amazing. If I can get six or seven it’d be perfect you know.”
Before he began his UFC tenure, Van had never had a fight go to a decision, but in his first two UFC outings, he saw the scorecards both times. 4oz Fight Club in Houston, Texas, is the place where Van hones his craft, and he attributes his team and preparation for his experience and success over three full rounds.
“Where I train, we go hard when we spar and we use small gloves so everyday is like a fight. We spar five to six rounds, five minute rounds. I think I get all the experience I need.”
Check out the full interview with UFC Vegas 84’s Joshua Van above.
