Mizoram hosts event to honour UFC champion Joshua Van

Aizawl: UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma graced the MISMA Fight Night organised by the Mizoram Mixed Martial Arts Association (MISMA) at R Dengthuama Indoor Stadium, Mualpui, Aizawl, on Saturday night.CM Lalduhoma attended the event as the chief guest and Van as the special guest.The CM, in his address, said honouring Joshua ‘The Fearless’ Van, the first-ever UFC Champion from Southeast Asia, was a matter of great pride for the people of Mizoram. He emphasized that the Mizos, Chins, and Kukis belong to one ethnic family and highlighted the importance of unity and brotherhood among these communities. Van, he said, stands before the world as a representative of his people, and his achievements strengthen the bonds and solidarity among these communities.Lalduhoma praised Van’s professional record of 17 victories, including 9 knockouts. He said such achievements go beyond statistics and serve as an inspiration and challenge to young people. He also shared his own achievement of earning an honorary 7th Dan Black Belt from the World Pro Taekwondo Headquarters Federation, noting that such heights require discipline, perseverance, and mental strength.The CM also expressed his delight that he had received an honorary Black Belt from Shariq Bapu, senior vice-president of the Asian MMA Federation.Lalduhoma further said Van’s success encourages Mizo youths to set higher goals and confidently face the challenges of the world. Expressing his gratitude to the UFC champion, he assured him that Mizoram would continue to support him in all his future endeavors.Sports and Youth services minister Lalnghinglova Hmar announced that Mizoram has secured approval under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme – Other Than Roads Infrastructure (NESIDS-OTRI) of the Ministry of DoNER for the construction of a Centre of Excellence for Boxing and other contact sports, at a cost of Rs. 38.39 crore.Van also addressed the gathering, and during the event, several local community organizations, including Chin Refugee Committee of Mizoram (CRCM), Chin Community, Zofa Global, Zoro, the Muay Thai Association of Mizoram, and Assam MMA, presented tokens of appreciation and honors to the UFC champion.