Exclusive: UFC Cutman Reveals Shocking First Meeting With Rising Star Joshua Van

Brad Tate, the recognizable UFC cutman who’s been a fixture in the corner for some of the biggest fights in the sport’s modern era, just broke his silence on a chance encounter that eventually led him to working with rising flyweight contender Joshua Van. The story, which surfaced Tuesday via *Home of Fight* (@Home_of_Fight), offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how relationships form in this business—often far from the bright lights of the Octagon.

League sources confirm Tate was working an event in South Florida earlier this year when a young fighter he’d never met approached him backstage. Those close to the situation say Van simply walked up, introduced himself, and asked for a few minutes of Tate’s time. The cutman, who has spent two decades wrapping hands and stopping blood inside the cage, typically keeps a strict professional distance from athletes he hasn’t been assigned to. But Van, according to multiple people familiar with the exchange, carried himself with a quiet confidence that caught Tate’s attention.

The front office has been quietly aware of Van’s reputation for doing his own vetting on potential team members. Van’s management, league sources say, had already done background checks on Tate’s work, and the fighter wanted to see the face-to-face chemistry for himself. After a brief conversation, Tate agreed to work Van’s next bout. The two have since built a trust that extends beyond fight night—Tate has become a regular presence at Van’s training camps in Houston, offering advice on hand care and swelling management even when Van isn’t officially on the card.

Why this matters: Van is currently riding a four-fight win streak inside the UFC’s 125-pound division, and he’s expected to get a top-10 opponent by late summer. Having a veteran cutman who knows his physiology become a full-time asset gives Van one less variable to worry about when the cage door locks. The MMA industry quietly leans on relationships like this—unpaid partnerships that only become public when a fight gets serious enough for an agent to confirm the arrangement.

What happens next is still unfolding. Sources indicate Van has already submitted Tate’s name to UFC brass for inclusion on his next fight team, and the promotion’s compliance office is expected to sign off within the week. For now, the flyweight contender has what every fighter knows is essential: a cutman who answers the call before the check clears.

Source: https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2054900261085188160