UFC cutman Brad Tate shared an amusing anecdote about his initial encounter with current flyweight champion Joshua Van, revealing the fighter’s significant anxiety before his debut bout.
Van, who recently defended his title against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328, was reportedly extremely nervous before his first UFC appearance in 2023 against Zhalgas Zhumagulov. Tate recounted meeting a visibly distressed Van in an elevator prior to the fight.
Tate described Van expressing doubts about his place in the UFC, stating, “Man, I don’t know if I belong here.” Tate and others had to actively encourage and “hype him up” to boost his confidence. Van’s physical signs of nervousness included shaking hands and excessive sweating.
Despite his initial apprehension, Van went on to win his debut by split decision. Tate also humorously noted that Van’s opponent in that first fight was reportedly not feeling well.
Brad Tate Recounts Joshua Van’s Pre-UFC Debut Anxiety
In a conversation with Engage, UFC cutman Brad Tate detailed how he met Joshua Van before the fighter’s inaugural UFC match in 2023. Van, now the UFC flyweight champion, secured his first title defense with a fifth-round TKO victory over Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328. He is anticipated to face Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch next.
Tate revealed that Van was not always the composed fighter seen today. Prior to his UFC debut against Zhalgas Zhumagulov, which he won by split decision, Van was experiencing considerable stress. Tate explained:
“So I met this guy in the elevator. Short-notice fight. He was nervous as hell. He kept saying, ‘Man, I don’t know if I belong here.’ We had to talk to him and hype him up. Then he shows up at the arena for the first fight of the night. Nobody was even there yet. The dude was nervous as hell. I told him, ‘Bro, calm down. You got this. Flip that switch, you know?’ ‘I don’t believe I should be here.’ His hands were literally shaking, and he was sweating like crazy. Then they go out there for the first fight, and the dude he was facing wasn’t feeling well.”
Brad Tate’s account highlights a lesser-known aspect of Joshua Van’s journey into the UFC, emphasizing the human element of overcoming self-doubt on the path to championship success.