19 May 2026 – UFC has officially announced that Myanmar-born Chin fighter and UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van will participate in the high-profile UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest, set to take place on the White House lawn in Washington, D.C., on 13-14 June 2026.
The celebration forms a centerpiece of the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence. President Donald Trump previously revealed plans to transform the executive mansion’s grounds into a premier UFC arena for the occasion, featuring live musical performances and interactive sessions where fans can meet the sport’s elite athletes.
The 24-year-old champion enters the festivities following a landmark title defense against Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. This victory, his 10th in 11 UFC appearances, has solidified Van’s status as a global star, propelling him into the UFC’s top-10 pound-for-pound rankings.
Van is slated to travel to Malaysia following the U.S. celebrations. He will attend the Chin Refugee Committee’s (CRC) 25th anniversary silver jubilee, a return that carries deep personal significance.
Before his rise to UFC dominance, Van lived in Malaysia as a refugee for two years in the early 2010s. – Reporting by Daniel
