Joshua Van spent night praying after UFC 328 title win

Joshua Van has opened up about how he spent the hours following his flyweight title victory at UFC 328 on May 9, revealing a night defined by prayer rather than celebration or sleep.

The 24-year-old champion returned to his hotel at around 2:30 AM after the event, only to leave again for the airport at 5:30 AM, meaning he went without sleep from Saturday evening all the way through to Sunday night. Rather than scrolling through social media in those sleepless hours, Van chose to spend the time praying alongside fellow churchgoers. After making it home, he was met by a church member who prayed with him, and Van made clear throughout his account that thanking God was central to the entire experience.

Van, who fights out of 4oz. Fight Club and represents Myanmar, has risen to the top of the flyweight division with a record of 17 wins and 2 losses. He is one of the more dynamic strikers in the 125-pound weight class, landing an exceptional 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate. Standing five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has earned his champion status through relentless pressure and sharp hands.

Why it matters

• Van's public remarks offer a rare and personal look at how a newly crowned UFC champion processed one of the biggest moments of his career.
• His decision to avoid social media in the aftermath speaks to a focused mindset that has helped carry him to the top of the flyweight division at just 24 years old.
• With the title now around his waist, the Myanmar-born fighter figures to be a central figure in the flyweight landscape for the foreseeable future.