Joshua Van vs. Felipe Bunes: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Joshua “The Fearless” Van, in character with his moniker, has made a quick turnaround from November as a replacement for Denys Bondar against former Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion Felipe Bunes in a flyweight contest in the prelims of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Walker 2. After failing to do so last year, Bunes will be making his promotional debut. The pairing kickstarts the UFC calendar for 2024. Joshua Van made his promotional debut last year, stepping in on short notice to take on an opponent after Felipe Bunes was withdrawn from the matchup. Van is the favorite ahead of the encounter at the UFC Apex this weekend.

MMA: UFC Flyweight

Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 14.01.2024. 00.25

The young fighter from Myanmar had a successful rookie year in the UFC in 2023, scoring victories in his debut and sophomore outings. Still only 22, Joshua Van debuted across Zhalgas Zhumagulov in June to replace Felipe Bunes. Van upset the odds to win a close split decision over the veteran Kazakh. Young Van, who turned pro in 2021, followed up his maiden UFC victory with a unanimous decision over Kevin Borjas last November. Joshua Van is currently on a seven-fight winning streak. “The Fearless,” who fights out of Houston, Texas, has one loss in ten pro fights.

• Age: 22
• Height: 5’ 5”
• Reach: 65’
• Weight: 125.8 Ibs
• Record: 9-1

The former LFA champion finally makes his UFC debut after failing to do so last July after failing a test and getting suspended for testing positive for a banned substance. At 34, Felipe Bunes is an experienced flyweight, having competed in several promotions since a 2011 pro debut. In January 2023, “Felipinho” claimed the vacant LFA flyweight championship with a first-round stoppage of Yuma Horiuchi. After twelve months of inactivity, Bunes returns to the cage, having won three of his last four bouts.

• Age: 34
• Height: 5’ 7”
• Reach: 71’
• Weight: 124.4 Ibs
• Record: 13-6

The debutant is a 3.77 underdog on Betwinner. The bookie has Felipe Bunes by decision for 7.00. 1XBET prices the over 2.5 at 1.9 odds and the under at 1.84. Bet365 lists a decision for Joshua Van at 3.10, with the favorite by KO or TKO at 2.87.