Joshua Van walks into UFC 323 not just as the No. 1 flyweight contender, but as a 24-year-old carrying symbols of his past across his skin. Fans focus on his speed, his toughness, and the way he climbed to a title shot since his UFC debut in 2023, but many also notice something else the moment he removes his shirt: the striking ink across his chest and shoulders. What do those designs really represent? And why does a young fighter from Myanmar and Houston choose such specific imagery?

In a sport where tattoos often become an extension of a fighter’s story, Van’s ink has sparked a lot of curiosity, especially since one of his pieces mirrors a tattoo worn by UFC veteran Michael Chandler. But while the comparison is easy to make, the meaning behind Van’s tattoos runs deeper than a simple nod or imitation.

What do Joshua Van’s tattoos represent?

Joshua Van’s most recognizable tattoo is the word “Blessed” inked across his chest, a design that immediately drew comparisons to Michael Chandler’s similar piece. Chandler once said in an interview with Bleacher Report in 2012 that the word represents how blessed he was in his life, and the ink is a way to channel the same positivity. And while ‘The Fearless’ hasn’t explicitly tied his tattoo to Chandler, the sentiment is clearly shared.

The difference lies in presentation and size. Van’s version expands the theme with angel wings, floral patterns, and broader shading wrap around the text, turning the single word into a full chest piece. It creates a sense of protection and gratitude, expressing the idea that despite hardship, he carries something bigger with him.

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He also has a clock tattoo on his shoulder, a common symbol for time, memory, or major life moments. Though Van hasn’t explained the exact meaning, the placement and style suggest a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, something that fits a young man whose life went from fleeing political turmoil to earning a UFC title shot by age 24.

Another piece sits on his forearm, though its details remain unclear. For a fighter still early in his career, these tattoos already form a roadmap of his life, hinting at growth, survival, and faith. But the designs aren’t just aesthetic choices, they the journey that shaped him.

The personal stories behind Van’s body art

Joshua Van was born in Hakha, Myanmar, before his family fled the ongoing conflict and eventually resettled in Houston. The transition was brutal. He didn’t speak English. He faced bullying. And at 12 years old, he struggled to understand why their new life felt so hard. Tattoos, for many fighters, become anchors for moments like these and Van’s ink appears to capture both the hardship and the gratitude that came from it.

That’s why the word “Blessed” inked across his chest likely ties into that. As he fought his way through Fury FC, earned a short-notice UFC debut, and made history as the first Burmese fighter signed to the UFC, those symbols probably took on even deeper meaning. His chest piece reflects the mindset that helped him survive life’s turbulence, while the clock on his shoulder may mark the moments when everything changed.

Now holding a record of 15-2 and 8-1 in the UFC, Joshua Van is close to the biggest night of his career. And as he prepares to face Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 323, his tattoos serve as reminders of the road he took, from fleeing instability to standing under the brightest lights in the world!