Joshua Van discusses joy over the growth of Asian MMA ahead of UFC 328

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has expressed his joy over the growth of Asian mixed martial arts ahead of UFC 328.

While he may have won the title as a result of an injury, Joshua Van is still widely considered to be one of the best flyweights on the planet right now. On Saturday night, he will defend the UFC flyweight championship for the very first time against top challenger Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event of UFC 328.

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There’s a great deal of intrigue behind this fight, with Van hoping to prove he’s not a fluke champion, and Taira hoping to show the continued growth of Japanese mixed martial arts.

Ahead of their showdown in New Jersey, Van spoke about the importance of two Asian fighters competing against one another for a UFC world championship.

Van discusses importance of UFC 328 fight

“It feels familiar. This is not the first time I’ve fought a guy who was born in the 2000’s,” Van told reporters at the UFC 328 media day on Wednesday. “This is the second time, it just happens that we’re fighting for a title. Two Asian guys as well, so it’s going to be great for the Asian community.”

“Yeah, for sure (this is the biggest fight in Asian MMA history),” Van said. “This is the first time two Asian males fight for a title. Yeah, for sure.”

“I think he’s a well-rounded guy. Everybody knows him for his ground, but he do have striking, too,” Van explained. “Most of his fights, I don’t know why, but they try to take him down. Like, I think that’s the mistake they make. If he’s better than you on the ground, then why are you trying to go to his game. Come Saturday night, I’m going to make him play my game, and if we go to the ground, we’ll beat him there too.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Who do you believe is going to get their hand raised and leave Newark with the world title this weekend? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!