Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Joshua Van is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Joshua Van is a young Burmese‑American UFC flyweight contender with a fast-growing resume, but public information about his personal life, money, and endorsements is still very limited. Only details that are actually available from reliable sources are included below; anything not public is left blank on purpose.
Joshua Van’s Biography
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Joshua Van Bawi Thawng |
| Nickname | “The Fearless” |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 2001 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Birthplace | Hakha, Myanmar |
| Nationality | Burmese-American |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Weight | 125 lbs (56.7 kg) |
| Reach | 65 inches |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | N/A |
| Turned Professional | 2021 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $400,000 to $500,000 |
| Current Salary | Varies per fight (ranging from $60,000 to $550,000+ based on fight status) |
| Spouse | Not married |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Children | No children |
| @thefearlessmma1 | |
| Twitter/X | @JoshuaVanBT |
Early Career
Joshua Van made his amateur debut in December 2020 under Fury Fighting Championship, one of the same promotions that launched the career of the legendary Kimbo Slice. His amateur run was short but incredibly impressive, going undefeated in his first four fights within just six months.
His amateur record stands at approximately 4-0, showcasing his natural talent and dedication to rapid improvement. These early amateur victories set the stage for his quick transition to the professional ranks, as Van demonstrated the kind of finishing ability and technical soundness that separate genuine prospects from average fighters.
Professional Career
Van turned professional in 2021 and immediately made an impact on the Fury FC circuit. His professional debut came on November 21, 2021, against Chase Eastham, which he won via ground and pound technical knockout in the second round. What followed was a relentless march through competition. Van fought on nearly every Fury FC card, continuously improving and earning impressive finishes. In December 2022, after just over a year as a professional, Van captured the Fury FC Flyweight Championship by defeating Cleveland McLean via rear-naked choke submission in the second round of their title fight at Fury FC 72. This achievement, combined with his undefeated Fury FC record, caught the attention of the UFC.
The UFC signed Van to a short-notice fight at UFC on ABC 5 in June 2023 against Zhalgas Zhumagulov. At just 21 years old, Van made history by becoming the first fighter from Myanmar to ever compete in the UFC. Despite the magnitude of the moment and the short notice, Van rose to the occasion, securing a split decision victory in his UFC debut. This maiden UFC victory was doubly significant because it also marked the first UFC win ever recorded by a fighter from Myanmar. Van has since competed at a high level in one of the most competitive divisions in the promotion, facing increasingly tough competition as he climbs the lightweight rankings.
Joshua Van’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Joshua Van’s estimated net worth ranges from $400,000 to $500,000. This figure reflects his UFC career earnings accumulated since his 2023 debut, along with any bonuses and sponsorship deals. His net worth has grown substantially as his purses have increased with each successive fight and rise in the rankings. At UFC 323 in December 2025, where he challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight championship, Van’s guaranteed purse alone was estimated in the range of $400,000 to $550,000, with potential earnings reaching $800,000 to $1.2 million when including bonuses and win incentives. However, given his young age and relatively short UFC tenure, his career earnings remain modest compared to veteran fighters, though his trajectory suggests this figure will grow significantly as he continues to compete at the highest level.
Fight Purses
| Event | Date | Opponent | Result | Base Purse | Win Bonus | Bonuses | Total Estimated Payout |
| UFC 323 | Dec 6, 2025 | Alexandre Pantoja | TBD | $400K-$550K | $400K-$550K | $50K+ | $800K-$1.2M |
| UFC 317 | Jun 28, 2025 | Brandon Royval | Win | $85,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 (FOTN) | ~$145,000 |
| UFC 316 | Jun 7, 2025 | Bruno Silva | Win | $156,000 | Win Bonus | $50,000 (FOTN) | ~$206,000+ |
| UFC 313 | Mar 8, 2025 | Rei Tsuruya | Win | $60,000 | $60,000 | $6,000 | ~$126,000 |
| UFC 310 | Dec 7, 2024 | Cody Durden | Win | Base Purse | Win Bonus | $6,000 | Estimated $70K-$80K |
| UFC 306 | Sep 14, 2024 | Edgar Chairez | Win | $105,000 | Included | $0 | ~$105,000 |
| UFC on ESPN 59 | Jul 13, 2024 | Charles Johnson | Loss | Lower purse | $0 | $0 | ~$40K-$50K |
| UFC Fight Night | Jan 13, 2024 | Felipe Bunes | Win | Base Purse | Win Bonus | $0 | Estimated $50K-$60K |
| UFC 295 | Nov 11, 2023 | Kevin Borjas | Win | $22,000 | Base | $0 | ~$22,000+ |
Endorsements
- Monster Energy – Official UFC energy drink partner, with van receiving promotional support and potential appearance fees
- Yummi Sushi US – Sponsorship partnership featuring collaborative giveaways and promotional events
- Iridium Sports Agency – Represents van for business inquiries and sponsorship negotiations
- UFC Venum – Official UFC outfitting partner providing fight kits and performance gear
Career Records
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method | Round | Notable Details |
| Alexandre Pantoja | UFC 323 | Dec 6, 2025 | Pending | – | – | Title fight for UFC Flyweight Championship |
| Brandon Royval | UFC 317 | Jun 28, 2025 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Former title challenger, Fight of the Night |
| Bruno Silva | UFC 316 | Jun 7, 2025 | Win | TKO (Punches) | 3 (4:01) | Impressive body shot combination finish |
| Rei Tsuruya | UFC 313 | Mar 8, 2025 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Demonstrated improved striking defense |
| Cody Durden | UFC 310 | Dec 7, 2024 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Solid technical performance |
| Edgar Chairez | UFC 306 | Sep 14, 2024 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Fight of the Night candidate, injured knee mid-fight |
| Charles Johnson | UFC on ESPN 59 | Jul 13, 2024 | Loss | KO (Uppercut) | 3 (0:20) | Van was winning the fight before knockout |
| Felipe Bunes | UFC Fight Night | Jan 13, 2024 | Win | TKO (Ground and Pound) | 2 (4:31) | Dominant wrestling performance |
| Kevin Borjas | UFC 295 | Nov 11, 2023 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | UFC debut performance |
| Zhalgas Zhumagulov | UFC on ABC 5 | Jun 24, 2023 | Win | Decision (Split) | 3 | Historic first UFC fight for Myanmar fighter |
| Cleveland McLean | Fury FC 72 | Dec 18, 2022 | Win | Submission (RNC) | 2 (4:49) | Fury FC Flyweight Championship victory |
| Paris Moran | Fury FC 67 | Aug 14, 2022 | Win | TKO (Punches) | 2 (0:36) | Quick finish showcase |
FAQs
1. What is Joshua Van’s fighting style and what makes him special?
Joshua Van is known for his high-volume striking, explosive footwork, and relentless pace. What sets him apart is his ability to throw combinations from multiple angles while maintaining tight defense. His coach has emphasized that van is “defensively sound after his strikes,” meaning he doesn’t leave himself vulnerable while attacking. His signature right hand is described as a “missile,” delivering power with pinpoint accuracy. At just 23 years old, Van brings an energy and hunger that rivals many established fighters, combined with the technical fundamentals of someone who’s trained consistently under quality coaching. His willingness to fight anyone at short notice and his never-back-down mentality have earned him the nickname “The Fearless.”
2. How did Joshua Van overcome his early struggles with bullying and immigration?
Van’s journey from a bullied immigrant in Houston to a UFC fighter is genuinely inspirational. When he arrived in America at age twelve not speaking English, he faced significant harassment from his schoolmates. Rather than allowing this to defeat him, Joshua found solace in Bruce Lee films and street fighting videos, which sparked his interest in martial arts. He began training to build confidence and self-defense skills, but what started as therapy became a genuine passion. His coaches recognized his potential and dedication, helping channel his competitive energy into structured training. Van credits listening to his coaches and staying focused on improvement as keys to overcoming those difficult early years.
3. What does Joshua Van’s record tell us about his capabilities?
With a professional record of 15 wins and 2 losses, van has demonstrated remarkable consistency at the highest level. His UFC record stands at 8 wins and 1 loss (as of UFC 316), with his only setback coming to Charles Johnson, who caught him with a perfect uppercut in the third round of a fight van was clearly winning. This single loss doesn’t diminish his overall trajectory because van was literally winning when the knockout occurred. His 13-fight winning streak (when excluding that one loss) shows he’s figured out how to adapt and improve. Seven of his wins have come by knockout or TKO, two by submission, and the remainder by decision, indicating he’s well-rounded. His ability to finish fights combined with his pace and cardio make him dangerous for any opponent.
4. Why is Joshua Van historically significant in the UFC?
Joshua Van holds several important historical designations. He’s the first fighter from Myanmar to ever compete in the UFC, and he’s also the first fighter from Myanmar to secure a victory in the promotion. In 2025, he became the first fighter born after 2000 to compete for a UFC title, which is remarkable considering the sport’s history. These achievements aren’t just about statistics; they represent the opening of doors for Myanmar’s combat sports community on the world’s biggest stage. Van carries this responsibility with pride, regularly expressing his desire to represent his country properly, even lamenting that he couldn’t bring the Myanmar flag into the octagon due to political complications.
5. What happened in Joshua Van’s loss to Charles Johnson?
Van’s only UFC loss came at UFC on ESPN 59 on July 13, 2024, when he faced Charles Johnson. Van was clearly winning the fight through two rounds, controlling the pace and landing significant strikes. However, in the third round, Johnson caught Van with a perfectly timed right uppercut just 20 seconds into the round, resulting in an immediate knockout. While losing a winnable fight is never ideal, this setback actually served a purpose in van’s development. It taught him important lessons about never taking his foot off the gas, even when ahead, and showed him areas of defense to improve. Van has since bounced back impressively, winning his next three fights in succession.
6. How has Joshua Van progressed since his UFC debut?
Van’s progression in the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable. His debut against Zhalgas Zhumagulov in June 2023 was a split decision victory that, while not dominant, showed his ability to compete at the highest level at just 21 years old. From there, van has continuously faced tougher competition and has mostly delivered winning performances. He’s fought UFC regulars like Kevin Borjas, Felipe Bunes, Edgar Chairez, Cody Durden, Rei Tsuruya, Bruno Silva, and Brandon Royval. Each fight has shown incremental improvement in his striking combinations, defensive awareness, and fight IQ. His trajectory from prospect to legitimate title contender has happened within just two years, which speaks volumes about his development and the quality of his coaching team.
7. What is Joshua Van’s training camp and coaching situation like?
Joshua Van trains primarily at 4oz Fight Club, his home gym in Houston, Texas. This gym represents the foundation of his training, featuring everything from weight training and cardio equipment to dedicated fight areas with mats and heavy bags. Van works with quality coaches who emphasize fundamental sound technique over flashy moves. When preparing for major fights, van brings in specialized coaches like Aung La N Sang, a former two-division Lethwei champion, to work on boxing and kickboxing combinations. His coaches have consistently emphasized the importance of listening and trusting their guidance, which van acknowledges has been crucial to his success. He trains nearly seven days a week, with Sundays typically used for recovery, showing the level of dedication required to compete at this level.
8. How much does Joshua Van typically earn per fight?
Joshua Van’s purses have increased substantially as he’s risen through the UFC ranks. His early UFC fights paid around $22,000 to $60,000 in base purse. By 2024, his fights were paying $105,000 base pay for UFC 306. As of 2025, with his status as a title contender, van earned $85,000 base plus $10,000 win bonus plus $50,000 Fight of the Night at UFC 317. For his title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323, van’s guaranteed purse alone was estimated at $400,000 to $550,000, with total potential earnings reaching $800,000 to $1.2 million when including bonuses and win incentives. These figures represent the dramatic increase in compensation that comes with rising up the heavyweight rankings.
9. What are Joshua Van’s biggest wins and what do they demonstrate?
Joshua Van’s most significant wins include his split decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov in his UFC debut (historic for representing Myanmar), his unanimous decision over Kevin Borjas, his knockout victory over Felipe Bunes, his performance against Edgar Chairez despite fighting through a popped knee injury, his knockout finish of Bruno Silva with a devastating body shot combination, and his unanimous decision victory over Brandon Royval, a former title challenger. These victories collectively demonstrate van’s ability to outwork opponents over three rounds, his capacity to produce exciting finishes, his ability to overcome adversity (fighting through injury), and his willingness to take on dangerous opposition. Each victory has systematically moved him up the rankings toward his title opportunity.
10. What are Joshua Van’s goals and future prospects?
Joshua Van’s immediate goal is to become the UFC Flyweight Champion, a dream he pursued at UFC 323 against Alexandre Pantoja in December 2025. Beyond the title, van has expressed ambitions to defend a championship multiple times and become one of the most dominant fighters in the flyweight division. Long-term, van hopes to inspire an entire generation of fighters from Myanmar and Southeast Asia. He’s mentioned that if given the opportunity to properly represent his country with the Myanmar flag, it would mean everything to him. Van believes that with hard work, proper coaching, and visualization of his goals before they materialize, he can achieve championships at the highest level. His confidence isn’t arrogance but rather a byproduct of his unshakeable belief system and the visualization techniques he employs to manifest success.