Joshua Van Shows Continued Evolution as Competitor Improves With Each Fight

Joshua Van turned in another impressive performance at UFC 331, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most rapidly developing champions in the sport today.

Van, 24, holds the flyweight championship and carries an 18-2 record into what has become a growing conversation about just how much better he looks with every outing. The fighter from Myanmar, training out of 4oz. Fight Club, has drawn widespread attention for his continued growth inside the octagon, with observers noting that opponents increasingly need a finish to overcome him — decisions are becoming harder and harder to earn against the champion.

The numbers back up the buzz. Van lands an exceptional 8.26 significant strikes per minute with a 57 percent striking accuracy, a combination that points to a fighter who is both active and precise. Standing five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and supplements his striking with modest but capable grappling, averaging 0.7 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• At just 24 years old, Van projects to be in his athletic prime for several more years, meaning the flyweight division may be dealing with him at the top for a long time.
• His striking volume — among the highest in the division — combined with improving fight IQ makes him increasingly difficult to gameplan against.
• The narrative coming out of UFC 331 is that finishing Van may be the only reliable path to the title, a problem that looms over any future challenger.