Nationality & Background
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Joshua Van was born on October 10, 2001 in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar.
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He and his family relocated to Houston, Texas, when he was 12, fleeing political instability back home.
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Van holds dual nationality — Burmese and American.
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He competes at Flyweight (125 lbs / ~56 kg) in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
UFC / MMA Record & Stats
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Overall MMA record: 15–2–0 as of 2025.
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UFC record: 7 wins – 1 loss (first loss came against Charles Johnson in July 2024).
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Methods of victory: 7 by KO/TKO, 2 by Submission, 6 by Decision.
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Physical stats: Height 5’5″ (165 cm), Reach 65″ (165 cm), weight 125 lbs.
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Fighting style: Orthodox stance, “Freestyle” striking base.
Performance & Notable Highlights
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Known for high striking volume: lands an average of 8.86 significant strikes per minute — among the highest in UFC flyweight division.
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As of mid-2025, he is ranked #1 in UFC Flyweight division.
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He is the first fighter born in the 2000s to challenge for a UFC title (as of 2025).
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He is also the first Myanmar-born fighter in UFC history.
Charles Johnson
Nationality & Background
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Charles Johnson is American, fighting out of the United States.
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He competes in the Flyweight division (≈ 126 lbs) in the UFC.
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Physical stats: Height 5’9″ (175 cm), Reach 70″ (≈ 178 cm).
UFC / MMA Record & Stats
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Professional MMA record: 18–7–0 (as of 2025).
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UFC record includes multiple wins; notable result: KO/TKO victory over Joshua Van (3rd round, 0:20) on July 13, 2024.
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Finishing ability: 8 wins by KO/TKO, 3 by submission.
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Fighting style: relies on Muay Thai + Jiu-Jitsu; uses a “switch” stance.
Recent Form & Highlights
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As of August 2025, Johnson knocked out Lone’er Kavanagh in the 2nd round — a major comeback win.
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He has secured multiple first-round or early-finish victories across his career, showcasing his finishing instincts.
Head-to-Head: Joshua Van vs Charles Johnson
| Category | Joshua Van | Charles Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality / Origin | Burmese & American (born in Hakha, Myanmar) | American |
| UFC Division | Flyweight (125 lbs) | Flyweight (≈126 lbs) |
| Physical Stats (Ht / Reach) | 5’5″ / 65″ | 5’9″ / 70″ |
| Overall MMA Record (2025) | 15–2–0 | 18–7–0 |
| UFC Record (mid-2025) | 7–1 | Active with several UFC wins |
| Finishing Style | Striking-heavy; high strike volume; KO/TKO & submissions | Balanced: KO/TKO power + submission ability, Jiu-Jitsu + Muay Thai |
| Notable Outcome | Rising contender; #1 flyweight as of 2025 | Holds a KO win over Van (July 2024) |
Summary & Significance
Joshua Van stands out as a rising star in the UFC — a young, dual-nationality fighter from Myanmar/America, bringing high pace and volume striking, and already ranked #1 in flyweight. His journey from Myanmar to Houston exemplifies resilience, and his striking stats place him among the most active strikers in his division.
On the other hand, Charles Johnson is a veteran flyweight with experience, reach advantage, and finishing capability (both striking and submission). His KO win over Van in 2024 shows that even promising up-and-comers can be tested — making him a dangerous and seasoned competitor.
Their profiles show two contrasting paths: youth + volume + potential (Van), vs. experience + striking/submission versatility + finishing instinct (Johnson).
