Joshua Van proud to make history for Asian MMA at UFC 328
Flyweight champion Joshua Van's title defense vs. Tatsuro Taira will be the first time two Asian male fighters fight for a UFC belt.
MORRISTOWN, N. J. – Joshua Van might only be five years into his professional MMA career, yet the 24-year-old is already making history in the UFC.
Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), a Burmese fighter, is days away from making his first UFC flyweight title defense against Japan's Tatsuro Taira (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 328 ( Paramount+ ) – which takes place Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N. J. This bout with Taira is the first time two fighters born in the 2000s and two male Asian fighters fight for a UFC title.
It's a significant moment for both the general sport and Asian MMA, which makes Van proud. "It feels familiar. This is not the first time I've fought a guy who was born in the 2000's," Van told reporters at the UFC 328 media day on Wednesday.
"This is the second time, it just happens that we're fighting for a title. Two Asian guys as well, so it's going to be great for the Asian community. " When asked if this is the biggest fight in Asian MMA history, Van replied with a quick yes.