Joshua Van Bawi Thawng is the UFC Flyweight Champion and a historic figure in combat sports: he is the first fighter from Myanmar to sign with the UFC. Born October 10, 2001, in Myanmar, Van represents a new generation of global MMA talent that the sport's expansion has made possible.
He won the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 323 in December 2025, defeating Alexandre Pantoja in a stunning upset to claim the belt. At just 24 years old, Van is one of the youngest UFC champions in the organization's history. His wrestling base and improving MMA game allowed him to neutralize Pantoja's dangerous submission game and earn a stoppage victory.
Van is a symbol of where the sport is going -- truly global, with champions emerging from countries that had never produced a UFC titleholder before. His story is still being written, but the chapter where he becomes champion of the world at 24 is already remarkable.
- UFC Flyweight Champion (beat Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323, Dec 2025)
- First fighter from Myanmar to sign with the UFC
- Won the title at age 24 -- one of the youngest UFC flyweight champions
- 12-1 professional record
- Represents the global expansion of UFC talent
- 01Double-leg takedown
- 02Ground and pound from top position
- 03Cage wrestling for control
- 04Body lock takedown
- 05Rear naked choke from back
Joshua Van is 24 years old, from Myanmar, and just won a UFC world title. The first fighter from his country to sign with the UFC. Show your kids this one when you want to explain that it doesn't matter where you come from -- it matters where you're going.