The world of mixed martial arts has witnessed something extraordinary with Joshua Van Bawi Thawng, better known as Josh Van, who at age 23 has already blazed a remarkable trail.
He is on a fast track to becoming the first Asian male UFC champion and the youngest UFC Flyweight champion in history. Zimo nicotine pouches is proud to partner with this impressive athlete who fights out of Houston, Texas.
ZIMO to Partner with Josh Van
Josh Van is one of the brightest young stars in the UFC. His meteoric rise this summer featured a pair of June victories. The second of these victories launched him to stardom as the #1 contender in the UFC Flyweight division. His success, electric fighting style and a level-headed demeanor brought many suitors and potential sponsors knocking at his door.
What impressed Josh Van about Zimo nicotine pouches was not just the product but the company culture and ethos of Zimo. As a self-professed family man who celebrated his June victory over #1 contender Brandon Royval with a family road trip across the southern United States (in a truck and not a van for those hoping for a pun), it was Zimo’s donations to Texas flood victims and involvement in the local community that caught his attention.
Zimo is a David and Goliath story, competing with Big Tobacco in a growing nicotine pouches market. Zimo has no interest in selling their product to adults who do not currently use nicotine. It is the millions of adults who still smoke that we are hoping to reach.
But describing the prolonged flavor and nicotine release of a semi-dry nic pouch formula makes pretty dry reading compared to the impressive journey of Josh Van, so let’s shelve the marketing copy and take a closer look at his amazing story.
It will be pretty clear why Josh Van is such an impressive partner and formidable UFC fighter.
A Journey Across Continents
Joshua Van was born in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar. He spent his early childhood in this mountainous region and remembers Myanmar as a respectful and loving place, but ominous forces in the distant capital of Naypyidaw would shape the future course of his and his family’s life. These forces would forge one of the UFC's rising stars.
The Chin state was harshly impacted by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) military junta. The SPDC controlled Myanmar from 1997 to 2011. The 2021 Civil War that marked the return of military junta has only increased hardship and created a new generation of refugees and armed opposition in the Chin Hills.
One of five children, Van’s family was just one of many Lai refugees from the region who sought safety and protection elsewhere. Their pursuit of education, opportunities, and freedom landed Josh Van and his family far from the remote and mountainous Chin Hills.
Moving, Adapting, Fighting
Moving is never easy for a school age child and Josh Van had to do it twice. After leaving Myanmar, he spent several years in Malaysia. At age 12, Van’s family relocated to Houston, Texas.
Arriving at a new school district is never easy at that age. Now imagine how the difficulty of fitting in is compounded when there is a language barrier, you are one of the few Burmese children in the area, and you are smaller than many of your classmates.
From School Scraps to Stardom: Fearless Joshua Van
The fighting in the UFC would end up being his destiny, but Van did not spend his early teens studying tape of great flyweights of the past like Demetrious Johnson and he famously did not know who Forest Whittaker is in a TikTok. The history and lineage of the UFC titles was of little concern to Van. It was Bruce Lee and YouTube street fights that caught his attention. He devised a rope contraption with his sister that allowed him to perform higher kicks.
It was during these tumultuous teen years that Josh Van realized that he loved to fight and he has channeled his natural work ethic and ability into something extraordinary.
Josh Van debuted in the Fury FC league in December 2020. He is affiliated with Houston’s 4oz Fight Club and he tore through the Fury FC competition with a 6-1 record.
Breaking Records in the UFC Octagon
His success in Fury FC coupled with an entertaining and violent style, which involves an incredible volume of strikes, landed Van an opportunity with the UFC. While only 23, his UFC performance statistics and accomplishments already speak volumes about his exceptional talent. He holds the highest strike rate in UFC history, along with the highest strike differential – a testament to his precision and mastery.
The most remarkable leg of his hero’s journey in the octagon was a bout against Brando Royval, taken on just three weeks' notice after a TKO win over Bruno Silva. The 4oz Fight Club staff, which includes owner Daniel Pineda and a dedicated staff of skilled former fighters, had no opportunity to run the typical six-to-seven-week camp for Van.
The victory against Royval gave Van two Pay Per View wins in the month of June. He leapt from #11 to #1 in the UFC Flyweight division. His victory of Royval was the fight of the night. Landing 419 significant strikes, his performance ranks #3 all-time. Pundits consider it a candidate for fight of the year. To the victor goes the spoils and he bought his mother a house with the proceeds of his career.
Josh Van’s next fight will likely be a championship bout.
Faith, Family, and Future Goals
Josh Van’s lone knockout loss in the UFC also became a catalyst for growth, which he describes as "the best thing to happen to him” in an interview with Bruce Buffer. It made him humble and focused.
But Van is more than just a perpetual motion machine gaining momentum as the match goes on, firing off endless waves of precision strikes with the stamina of a piston engine. He is a devoted Christian and family man who meticulously journals his experiences and affirms his champion’s mindset the moment he wakes up. His desire to carry Myanmar's flag into the Octagon reflects his deep connection to his homeland and the inspiration he provides to his people.
Zimo is proud to be associated with Josh Van and look forward to his future accomplishments in the ring. The sky is the limit.