UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has admitted he did not know that Demetrious Johnson, widely regarded as one of the division's greatest fighters, competed in the UFC. The 24-year-old champion revealed his unfamiliarity during a recent podcast appearance. Van is preparing to defend his title against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.
Joshua Van, the current UFC flyweight champion with a record of 16-2, expressed surprise upon learning that Demetrious Johnson fought in the UFC. In an interview on the JAXXON Podcast, transcribed by MMA Junkie, Van stated, “I swear to God I didn’t know he was in the UFC.” He added that he had seen Johnson compete in ONE Championship and was familiar with a highlight video of Johnson knocking out Adriano Moraes with a flying knee, describing it as a revenge win after Moraes had previously knocked him out. However, Van clarified, “Now I know him, but I’ve never watched his fights.”
At 24 years old, Van was only 16 when Johnson last fought in the UFC in late 2018. Johnson, now 39 with a professional record of 25-4-1, retired from MMA after completing a trilogy with Moraes in ONE Championship. He is often cited alongside Jon Jones as one of the all-time greats in mixed martial arts, particularly in the flyweight division.
Van's comments highlight a generational gap in the sport, as younger fighters like him may focus more on contemporary bouts. Despite his lack of familiarity with Johnson's UFC legacy, Van remains focused on his upcoming title defense. He is scheduled to face No. 3-ranked challenger Tatsuro Taira in the main event of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.
