In a sport where patience is often preached, Joshua Van rewrote the rulebook entirely. The Myanmar-born fighter went from unranked flyweight prospect to UFC champion in just 12 months, one of the most remarkable ascents in UFC history.

Van’s 2025 campaign began with a dominant decision victory over previously undefeated wrestling ace Rei Tsuruya, where he showcased dramatically improved defensive grappling that silenced doubters who questioned his ground game.

He followed that performance by breaking into the rankings with a third-round knockout of veteran Bruno Silva, demonstrating the difference between “decent MMA power punching and true boxing,” as one analyst put it.

The defining moment of Van’s season came against Brandon Royval in a 15-minute war that earned Fight of the Night honors. Van’s ability to weather Royval’s early storm and take over in the championship rounds proved he belonged at the elite level.

At UFC 323 in December, Van seized his moment against longtime champion Alexandre Pantoja, winning the flyweight title via TKO. At just 24 years old, Van became the youngest UFC flyweight champion since Demetrious Johnson.

“I always believed this was my destiny,” Van said through an interpreter after claiming gold. “Every fight this year was a step toward this moment. I’m just getting started.”

Van is expected to make his first title defense in early 2026, with Manel Kape emerging as the frontrunner for the next shot at the crown.