The audience at Madison Square Garden is in for an early treat at UFC 295, as the preliminary card promises excitement, featuring a thrilling flyweight bout between Joshua Van and Kevin Borjas. Initially scheduled to meet on Dana White’s Contender Series, Borjas and Van will now collide at the epicenter of combat sports on November 11.
These two youthful and dynamic strikers are poised to make a significant statement in the wide-open 125-lbs division. Van enters this bout boasting an 8-1 MMA record and a UFC record of 1-0, securing a recent split decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov on June 2023. Before that, the flyweight prospect used to fight at Fury FC and had a pretty good record of 8-1 there.
Joshua Van vs. Kevin Borjas added to UFC 295 on November 11th (FLW BOUT) via ESPN Deportes : Zuffa/Getty Images/MMA Junkie #UFC #MMA #UFC295 #JoshuaVan #KevinBorjas #Fight pic.twitter.com/k3kvApnXgt
— MMA Plus (@MMAPlus01) August 16, 2023
On the other side, Borjas brings a 9-1 MMA record, and UFC 295 will mark his official debut in the promotion. However, he did previously fight at the Dana White Contender Series in August 2023, where he claimed a comfortable unanimous decision victory against Victor Dias. Before this, he used to fight at Inka FC in Peru.
Let us have a look at some head-to-head stats of the two top flyweight prospects to get a better understanding of their match-up.
Joshua Van vs Kevin Borjas stats
| Stats | Joshua Van | Kevin Borjas |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 8 | 9 |
| Losses | 1 | 1 |
| Height |
5 ft 5 in
|
5 ft 5 in |
| Division | Flyweight | Flyweight |
| Reach |
65″
|
68″
|
| Age | 22 | 25 |
Joshua Van vs. Kevin Borjas prediction
Joshua Van employs a sharp jab as a tool for measuring distance and initiating the rest of his striking repertoire. His approach leans towards evading incoming shots before launching his counterattacks. Once he establishes his range and gains control over the distance, Van showcases efficient movement, skillfully dodging shots before responding with a rapid 1-2 combination.
Moreover, in addition to possessing a more impressive body of work and a diverse array of skills, Van maintains a greater sense of composure compared to Borjas. This composure is expected to guide him successfully through the anticipated intense exchanges.
On the other hand, Kevin Borjas excels as a long-range marksman with his boxing skills. Employing a swift and sharp jab, he precisely gauges the distance for his subsequent straight right. His striking accuracy is notable, and he adeptly manages distance, ensuring he stays within the outer limits of his reach.
In his Contender Series matchup against Victor Dias, Borjas demonstrated impactful punching power, inflicting significant damage despite falling short of securing a finish.
While Borjas does have a legitimate opportunity to secure a knockout, particularly if he catches Van off guard with his distinctive straight right, the prediction is that Van’s technical prowess will ultimately prevail in what promises to be an intense and thrilling encounter.
Our prediction: Joshua Van wins by unanimous decision.
