Joshua Van Eyes Fourth Straight Win Against Bruno Silva at UFC 316

NEWARK, New Jersey — Joshua Van, the 14th-ranked flyweight, is set to face off against Bruno Silva this weekend at UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2. The fight, scheduled for June 7, marks a significant moment for Van, who aims to secure his fourth consecutive victory.

Van will travel from his home in Houston, Texas, to the Prudential Center. While he previously defeated Kevin Borjas in New York City in 2023, he remains indifferent to the location of his fights. His attitude is straightforward: “Just send me the contract, I sign it, and then we fight,” he stated.

Despite the ideal scenario of fighting in Houston, Van doesn’t seem worried about it. “I’ve never seen Toyota Center,” he joked, indicating that basketball games are not on his radar. “I don’t watch no other sport,” he added, highlighting his focus on fighting.

At just 23 years old, Van has quickly ascended in the MMA world, capitalizing on an unexpected matchup with Rei Tsuruya after an earlier fight with Silva was postponed. He won against Tsuruya and now looks to climb further in the 125-pound division.

“I’m trying to get to that title as fast as I can,” Van said, aware that a win over Silva won’t lead him directly to a title shot, but will bring him closer to that goal. His journey in the UFC has been impressive, with seven fights since his debut just two years ago.

Learning to enjoy his success is a new pathway for Van. “I learned to enjoy it a little bit more now,” he stated, explaining how he balances rigorous training with spending time with friends and enjoying life outside the Octagon.

Daniel Pineda, Van’s head coach and a veteran UFC fighter, has been instrumental in his development. Despite Pineda’s own retirement, his intensity during training sessions has not wavered. Van mentioned, “He never takes it easy on us,” adding that they have adjusted their training regimen to avoid overtraining.

While Van’s commitment to the sport is unwavering, he recognizes the sacrifices that come with pursuing a career in MMA. “We don’t live like 23-year-olds are supposed to live,” he acknowledged. His focus remains on the sport, but his aspirations extend beyond just personal success. “After this fight, I’m going to buy my mom a house,” he expressed, underscoring the life-changing impact fighting has had on him.

Fans can catch the action live at the Prudential Center with prelims kicking off at 8 p.m. ET and the main card beginning at 10 p.m. ET.