LAS VEGAS – Joshua Van overcame another slow start at UFC Fight Night 234 to secure the stoppage against Felipe Bunes.
After a rather uneventful opening round of the flyweight bout at the UFC Apex, which marked the first UFC fight of 2024, Van (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) started putting together slick combinations to the head and body that started to ware on Bunes (13-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC).
A flurry of punches and knees led to the knockdown, then Van pounded on Bunes until referee Mark Smith had seen enough and called it off for a TKO at the 4:31 mark of Round 2. Check out a replay of the final sequence below (via X):
Joshua Van picks up the first finish of 2024 💪 #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/Zo9XH1IzSO
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 13, 2024
At 22 and with only a little more than two years of experience, Van continues to show he has a bright future in the sport and 125-pound weight class, especially considering he took the fight on short notice.
“We knew he was going to be tough in the first round,” Van told Michael Bisping in his post-fight interview. “The second round we got it done. We stuck to the game plan in the second round and got it done.”
Still unbeaten 👊
Joshua Van moves to 3-0 in the UFC! #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/F350NTOEBG
— UFC (@ufc) January 13, 2024
Van has landed 100 or more significant strike in all three of his UFC wins to date. He’s been busy in the cage, and said he wants to keep it up with a loaded 2024.
“I want to stay active this year,” Van said. “I want to fight at least four to six fights this year. Dana White, please give me a fight. I want to fight next week. Let’s go.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 234.
