Rising Star of Myanmar Joshua Van Shines Bright with Another UFC Victory

14 January 2024

Following his historic win to kick off 2024, Myanmar-born Joshua Van faced a formidable challenge in his latest bout against Felipe Bunes at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Van found himself on the receiving end of shots from the longer and rangier Brazilian in the opening round. However, the 22-year-old prospect showcased resilience and strategic acumen as he executed a remarkable comeback in the second round.

As the clock ticked down with a minute left in the round, Van pressed Bunes against the cage and unleashed a barrage of attacks. The onslaught included a dynamic combination of body shots and knees to the head, ultimately sending Bunes to the canvas. Van capitalized on the opportunity, pouring it on to secure a TKO finish victory, marking his third consecutive triumph in the UFC.

Van, who currently holds the title of the fifth-youngest fighter in the UFC, extended his overall winning streak to an impressive eight in a row. Reflecting on the fight, Van acknowledged the challenges posed by Bunes' long reach but emphasized the successful game plan executed in the second round.

"He has a long reach, and he can take a punch, but we figured him out in the second round. I'm not going to lie, my coaches don't want me to go for the submission, but I want my black belt (in jiu-jitsu). So I risked it, even though I didn't get it. But finally, we got the finish; it feels amazing!" exclaimed Van after the victory.

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Looking ahead, the ambitious young fighter expressed his eagerness to continue competing at a rapid pace. Van declared, "What's next? I want to fight next week! This year, hopefully for the title, if not, in the top 15, top 5." As Joshua Van's star continues to rise, fans can anticipate more thrilling performances and potential title contention in the near future.