Joshua Van Bio
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng, widely known by his ring name “The Fearless,” is a Burmese and American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Standing 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 65-inch reach, he fights out of Houston, Texas, and represents 4oz. Fight Club. He is recognized as the first fighter from Myanmar to sign with the UFC and has risen to become one of the most talked-about young champions in the sport.
Born on October 10, 2001, in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar, Van began his professional career in 2021 and quickly built a reputation as a dynamic striker and grappler. As of mid-2026, he holds the UFC Flyweight Championship and is ranked among the top competitors in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, cementing his place as a defining figure in the modern era of mixed martial arts.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng was born on October 10, 2001, in Hakha, a town in the Chin State of western Myanmar. He grew up in a family of five siblings in a region affected by long-standing military and political conflict. The instability shaped much of his early childhood and eventually led his family to seek a safer life abroad.
When he was ten years old, his family relocated to Malaysia. In 2013, at the age of twelve, Van migrated with his family to the United States, where they settled in Houston, Texas. The move gave him new opportunities and exposure to combat sports training facilities that would later help launch his professional career.
Van faced personal loss when his father passed away in 2017. He continues to live with his mother in Houston. He is a practicing Christian, a part of his identity that has remained visible throughout his public appearances in the sport.
Path to MMA
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng’s introduction to mixed martial arts came after his family settled in Houston. The city has a deep fighting culture, and he began training at 4oz. Fight Club, the gym that continues to serve as his professional team. His work ethic and willingness to step in on short notice quickly set him apart in local circuits.
Van made his professional MMA debut in 2021 and fought primarily in regional promotions. He built an impressive record in Fury Fighting Championship, eventually capturing the promotion’s Flyweight title by submitting Cleveland McLean in the second round at Fury FC 72 on December 18, 2022. By the time the UFC came calling, he had established a 7-1 professional record and a reputation as a rising contender.
Joshua Van Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng launched his professional career in 2021, fighting exclusively in Fury Fighting Championship. Over a span of about two years, he compiled a 7-1 record while developing his striking and grappling under the 4oz. Fight Club banner. His December 2022 submission win over Cleveland McLean earned him the Fury FC Flyweight title and signaled that he was ready for the next level.
In 2023, Van was originally scheduled to appear on Dana White’s Contender Series, but was instead given a direct UFC opportunity. He faced Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC on ABC 5 on June 24, 2023, becoming the first Burmese fighter to sign with the promotion. He won by split decision, announcing his arrival on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts.
UFC Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng’s UFC tenure gained momentum quickly. He followed his debut win with a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Borjas at UFC 295 in November 2023, then added a second-round technical knockout of Felipe Bunes at UFC Fight Night 234 in January 2024. The run established him as a fast-rising contender in the Flyweight division.
Setbacks came later in 2024. Several bouts were cancelled due to opponent injuries and weight issues, and a July 2024 fight against Charles Johnson at UFC on ESPN 59 ended in a third-round knockout loss. Van responded with a unanimous decision win over Édgar Cháirez at UFC 306 in September and another decision win over Cody Durden at UFC 310 in December, finishing the year on a strong note.
Champion Era (2025-Present)
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng entered 2025 as a surging contender. He earned a unanimous decision win over Rei Tsuruya at UFC 313 in March, then turned in a third-round technical knockout of Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC 316 in June. Weeks later, he stepped in on short notice to face former title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, and won a thrilling unanimous decision that earned him his first Fight of the Night award. The bout set a UFC record for most significant strikes landed in a three-round fight.
On December 6, 2025, at UFC 323, Van challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship. He won by technical knockout 26 seconds into the first round after Pantoja sustained an arm injury. At 24 years old, Van became the second-youngest champion in UFC history, the first fighter born in the 2000s to win a UFC title, and the first Asian-born male champion in the promotion. He successfully defended the title against Tatsuro Taira by fifth-round technical knockout at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, earning a second Fight of the Night award.
Style and Strengths
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng is known for his relentless pace, high-volume striking, and well-rounded skill set. Trained at 4oz. Fight Club and holding a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he blends crisp boxing with opportunistic grappling. His cardio and durability allow him to push a fierce pace over three and five rounds, and he has shown a finishing instinct both on the feet and with ground-and-pound pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng’s career is defined by a series of firsts. He became the first Burmese fighter signed by the UFC, the first champion born in the 2000s, the first Asian-born male UFC champion, and the second-youngest title holder in promotion history. His 419 significant strikes landed against Brandon Royval set a UFC record for a three-round fight, and his fifth-round finish of Tatsuro Taira added a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus to his resume.
Joshua Van Career Wins
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng’s career win totals reflect a fighter who finishes and decides at every level. Across his professional run, his wins have come by a mix of knockouts, submissions, and decisions, with his UFC tenure producing an especially long streak of decision victories and a growing number of stoppage wins.
UFC Highlights
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng’s first UFC victory came by split decision over Zhalgas Zhumagulov in June 2023, and he has since added wins over Kevin Borjas, Felipe Bunes, Édgar Cháirez, Cody Durden, Rei Tsuruya, Bruno Gustavo da Silva, Brandon Royval, and Alexandre Pantoja. His most recent title-winning performance came by technical knockout of Pantoja at UFC 323, followed by a successful defense against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328.
Other Wins and Performances
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng built his early career in Fury Fighting Championship, where he posted a 7-1 record and won the promotion’s Flyweight title by submitting Cleveland McLean in the main event of Fury FC 72 in December 2022. Those regional performances served as the foundation for his move to the UFC and remain a key part of his professional journey.
Joshua Van Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng was raised in a household of five siblings in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar. The family’s decision to leave Myanmar, first for Malaysia and then for the United States, was driven by the political and military conflict in their home country. His father passed away in 2017, and his mother has remained a central figure in his life.
Personal Life
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng resides in Houston, Texas, where he lives with his mother. He is a Christian and has spoken openly about his faith. Outside the gym, he is known as an avid fan of McDonald’s, often mentioning that he eats it for breakfast every morning, even during training camp.
2025 Season Performance
Joshua Van Bawi Thawng delivered one of the most remarkable seasons in recent UFC memory. He opened the year with a unanimous decision over Rei Tsuruya at UFC 313 and followed it with a third-round technical knockout of Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC 316. His decision victory over Brandon Royval at UFC 317 earned him a Fight of the Night bonus and a title shot.
At UFC 323 in December 2025, Van captured the UFC Flyweight Championship by defeating Alexandre Pantoja in just 26 seconds of the first round. The finish made him the second-youngest champion in UFC history and the first fighter born in the 2000s to hold a UFC title, while also establishing him as the promotion’s first Asian-born male champion.
Van carried his momentum into 2026, successfully defending the Flyweight title against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 with a fifth-round technical knockout that earned him a second consecutive Fight of the Night bonus. The performance reinforced his status as a top-tier talent and a central figure in the future of the Flyweight division.
