The Daniel Cormier Show - Joshua Van on BEATING Tatsuro Taira, Sean-Khamzat, Jon Jones' record

What’s up, Josh, you’re glowing like a champ. I remember you at the Apex saying you hadn’t even started wrestling; did this title arrive faster than you thought?

Not really. I thought I might break Jon Jones’s youngest champ mark, but a loss in 2024 slowed me down, so I’m fine being next in line.

Why did Miami fall through, was it you getting hurt? And did you expect to keep Taira as the matchup or worry Pantoja might slip in?

I picked up a small injury in camp; I wanted to push through, but my coaches and manager shut it down. I always figured it would stay Taira because of the timeline, not Pantoja.

Back to the night you won, it ended on that weird arm injury, but it came from you catching a kick and driving him down. What were you feeling in the moment?

I was confused and thought we might get a no contest or something like that, so I celebrated and then calmed down when I saw the replay. I told him sorry, he told me sorry, and we agreed we will run it back.

When you study Taira, what stands out, and where do you think the fight favors you, on the feet or on the mat?

He is well rounded, known for the grappling but with some pop in the strikes, kind of a younger Pantoja. I want that test to show I am the top flyweight.

If this stays standing, it feels like your fight, while long stretches on the ground could be trickier. Your boxing is sharp, and I even heard Andre Ward rave about it.

We are ready everywhere. People have not really seen my grappling, and this could be the night I show what five years of work looks like.

Wild that your takedown defense is this good when you said you had no wrestling background before MMA.

Yeah, I only started right before the UFC, and I picked up guard work first. The defense came fast.

You are co main on a card with real bad blood up top, so how does fight week feel with that energy swirling and all the talk about security?

I feel the same and safe with my team. If chaos breaks out at the presser, I might just pull my phone and get a better angle.

Marvin Hagler said it is hard to grind when you are sleeping on satin sheets; how fast did you move from celebrating to the next goal, and how do you keep the edge?

Knowing everyone wants what I have makes me work even harder, and my coaches turn the screws a bit more too. Early mornings are easy for me, and I get bored if I am not training.

At your age I would have been too wild; how do you stay grounded out there in Texas, is it someone special or what?

It is my coaches and my mindset keeping me straight.

Some say you are not really champ until you defend; do you buy that, and what do you expect Saturday night to feel like?

You will see I am the best when we both bring our A games.

We also argued about who gets to claim you. Can we call you an American champion?

Yeah, I am Burmese American.

The champ Joshua Van takes on Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 this weekend. Watch this young man work, he is a thrill on camera and in the cage; good luck, champ, and peace.