History is being written at UFC 328, and Joshua Van is ready to wear the crown. The 24-year-old Burmese flyweight champion steps into the Octagon this Saturday to defend his title against Japan's Tatsuro Taira in a co-main event that's already breaking barriers.

For the first time ever, two male Asian fighters will compete for a UFC belt. It's also the first title fight between two athletes born in the 2000s. For Van, who's only five years into his professional MMA career with a stellar 16-2 record, this moment carries weight far beyond the cage.

"It feels familiar. This is not the first time I've fought a guy who was born in the 2000s," Van said with a calm confidence at Wednesday's media day in Morristown, New Jersey. "It just happens that we're fighting for a title. Two Asian guys as well, so it's going to be great for the Asian community."

When asked if this matchup represents the biggest fight in Asian MMA history, Van didn't hesitate. "Yeah, for sure. This is the first time two Asian males fight for a title."

But don't let the historic context fool you—Van's focus is locked on the fight itself. Despite entering as the underdog against Taira, a standout grappler with an 18-1 record, Van knows exactly how he plans to keep his belt. He respects Taira's well-rounded game but sees a clear path to victory.

"I think he's a well-rounded guy. Everybody knows him for his ground, but he does have striking too," Van explained. "Most of his fights, I don't know why, but they try to take him down. I think that's the mistake they make. If he's better than you on the ground, then why are you trying to go to his game? Come Saturday night, I'm going to make him play my game. And if we go to the ground, we'll beat him there too."

UFC 328 takes place Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, streaming live on Paramount+. For fans of Asian MMA and combat sports history, this is a night you won't want to miss. And for those looking to rep their favorite fighter, now's the perfect time to gear up in style.