Las Vegas, NV — Flyweight Joshua Van was known for his finishes before joining the UFC, but ahead of UFC Vegas 84, his bouts inside the octagon had been wars that had gone the distance.
Van (10-1) finally got the monkey off his back on Saturday, winning the first UFC fight of 2024 and securing the first finish as well, stopping newcomer Felipe Bunes by TKO in the second round. Though not before his team jokingly called him a decision fighter.
“Finally we got the finish,” Van exclaimed following the win, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press. “I feel great, I feel amazing.”
Van has been highly touted by MMA fans who see him as a ranked fighter in future. Van admits he’s seen those comments — because he seeks out what people are saying about him.
“I see everything bro. I read all the comments. I check all the Youtube videos, I search myself, Joshua Van, on Youtube, Google, everywhere. I watch myself a lot.” Of course with the internet in general, there’s plenty of negativity, though Van tends to tune that out.
“I just focus on the positive things. If they say I’m ugly, then okay. But if they say I’m handsome, then I know I’m handsome,” said Van with a laugh. “So I just take all the positive things.”
Asked if he ever replies to any of the negative comments online, “I just ignore them,” replied Van, before adding “most of the time.”
Many expect Van to land in the top 15 at some point, and with three wins under the UFC banner now, he’s hoping that opportunity is next.
“If it’s possible I want it to be next in the top 15, but I’m a fighter, so whoever they put in front of me, I’ll fight,” he stated.
Watch the full UFC Vegas 84 post-fight press conference with Joshua Van above.
