Joshua Van Aims to Strike Quick in Title Defense at UFC 328
By James Moreau | 08 May, 2026

The youngest title holder in the sport returns at UFC 328 versus Tatsuro Taira to prove his record-breaking output is too much for the flyweight elite.

Flyweight sensation Joshua Van spent the past year proving that the moniker “The Fearless” isn’t just marketing.  He holds the distinction of being the first UFC champion born in Myanmar and the first fighter born in the 2000s to capture a world title.

In December 2025, Van swiftly captured the flyweight title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 with a TKO just 26 seconds into the first round. 

The road to the belt was paved by a legendary performance at UFC 317 in June 2025.  Stepping in on just three weeks’ notice, Van faced Brandon Royval in an epic “Fight of the Year” contender.  The two combined for 419 significant strikes – a UFC record for a three-round bout – earning Van his first Fight of the Night bonus.

With a professional record of 16-2 the 24-year-old can attribute his success to his relentless striking.  Van holds the record for the highest significant strikes landed per minute in UFC history and boasts the highest striking differential in the history of the flyweight division, out-landing opponents by an average of two and a half strikes per minute.

The Houston-based hard hitter made his professional debut in 2021 and was promoted to the UFC in 2023.

A massive title defense awaits at UFC 328 on Saturday, May 9th, where Van will headline against a top contender in Tatsuro Taira.  Van’s path to victory lies in his record-breaking output and his ability to weaponize pace against Taira’s high-level grappling. 

Though Van is the titleholder, oddsmakers currently favor Taira.  A successful defense in Miami would further solidify Joshua Van at the top of the flyweight division and cement his status as the most dangerous young champion in the sport today.