Joshua Van is on a mission, and he’s not wasting any time. Just 21 days after delivering a highlight-reel knockout over Bruno Silva at UFC 316, the 23-year-old flyweight phenom is set to return for a short-notice showdown against top contender Brandon Royval at UFC 317. In a division starving for fresh blood, Van could be the new face fans, and the UFC, have been waiting for.
With champion Alexandre Pantoja cleaning out the flyweight division, the need for a new challenger has never been greater. Van has the potential to be that breakout star. Not only is he riding a four-fight win streak, but his blistering pace, elite-level boxing, and magnetic personality have already made him a fan favorite.
Van’s recent performance at UFC 316 was the latest chapter in his rapid rise. He knocked out veteran Bruno Silva in the third round, showcasing his power, patience, and fight IQ. That performance earned him a golden opportunity to step in for Manel Kape against the division’s No. 1 contender.
Van’s statistical profile is jaw-dropping. At just 23 years old, he’s compiled a 7-1 record in the UFC, with two knockouts and four dominant decision wins. He’s already tied with former strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk for the fastest to land 750 significant strikes, doing so in just seven UFC appearances.
But it’s not just about quantity. Joshua Van currently leads the entire UFC in strikes landed per minute with an astonishing 8.2. That’s ahead of heavy hitters like Tom Aspinall, whose fights often end in the first round. Van’s pace is sustainable over three rounds and backed by a striking differential of +2.94, placing him eighth all-time in that category.
He is an elite boxer, one of the best the UFC has ever seen, and has been getting praise from UFC greats such as Dustin Poirier.
In just over a year with the promotion, Van has cracked the top ten rankings, now sitting at No. 10 in the flyweight division. And with a win at UFC 317, he could catapult himself into title contention.
Van’s next challenge is his toughest yet. Brandon Royval is a proven top contender and former title challenger known for his unorthodox striking, scrappy ground game, and relentless pressure. Taking him on with only three weeks’ turnaround is no small task, especially for a fighter as young as Van.
What’s more surprising is how the oddsmakers have approached the matchup. Van opened as a staggering -260 favorite over Royval, despite the latter’s experience and ranking. While those odds have since narrowed to -160, Van remains the favorite, indicating that Vegas and a growing number of fans believe his breakout is not only real, but inevitable.
If Van can defeat Royval on short notice, then he will solidify himself as the clear next title challenger in the flyweight division. It would be one of the fastest, and most impressive, rises in UFC history, especially considering his age, activity level, and record-setting output.
UFC 317 might just be the night Van becomes a household name. With elite hands, unrelenting pressure, and a willingness to take risks, he’s exactly what the flyweight division and the UFC needs.
Van has quickly rose from a hardcore fan favorite to just an overall fan favorite. He is no longer under the radar, and he looks to make a big statement in June 2025.
This climb may be too quick, and he may not be ready for the highest level of competition quite yet. I think it’s crazy that he’s favored against Royval. It has happened many times that surging contenders get an opponent they are not quite ready for and lose. But I hope that Van is ready for the competition, and that we, as the fans, get a fun fight to watch.
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