Today we’d like to introduce you to Tien Nguyen.
Tien, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
FS Mixed Martial Arts was founded on a deep-rooted passion for martial arts, perseverance through adversity, and the belief that growth is born from resilience.
Tien Nguyen’s story began long before FS MMA opened its doors. In 1975, his family came to America from Vietnam to escape the devastation of the Vietnam War, seeking a new life full of hope and opportunity. Tien, a middle child among eight siblings, found his first connection to martial arts during his middle school years, where he and his brothers trained in VoViNam, a traditional Vietnamese style of martial arts that emphasizes agility, strength, and spirit.
Years later, Tien’s martial arts journey evolved when he began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) under the legendary Saul Soliz, widely known as the “Godfather of Texas MMA.” Under Saul’s guidance, Tien not only honed his skills but also stepped into the cage, competing in two amateur MMA bouts through the prestigious Legacy Fighting Championships.
In 2016, fueled by a desire to pass on the lessons and discipline he had learned, Tien took a leap of faith and opened his own martial arts school in Katy, Texas — FS Mixed Martial Arts. With Saul Soliz’s mentorship, the school flourished for three and a half years, building a tight-knit community of students who trained hard, supported each other, and grew together.
However, like many small businesses, FS MMA was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and was forced to shut its doors in April 2020. It was a heartbreaking moment, but not the end of the story.
After a year of reflection, perseverance, and planning, FS Mixed Martial Arts reopened in a new location — stronger and more determined than ever. Since then, FS MMA has continued to grow, shaping not just martial artists, but confident, disciplined individuals ready to face life’s challenges.
Today, FS Mixed Martial Arts stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit that has been with Tien and his family since the very beginning.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has made us stronger. Starting FS Mixed Martial Arts was a dream fueled by passion, but building and sustaining a school from the ground up came with its share of struggles. Like many small businesses, we faced the usual growing pains — finding the right location, building a strong student base, and balancing the business side with the heart and soul of martial arts.
The biggest challenge by far was the Covid-19 pandemic. After three and a half years of pouring everything into the school, we were forced to shut our doors in April 2020. It was heartbreaking to step away from the community we had worked so hard to build. But that time away also gave us a chance to reflect, adapt, and come back stronger. When we reopened at a new location, we had a renewed sense of purpose — to not just teach martial arts, but to be a place of resilience, support, and growth for anyone walking through our doors.
Every struggle along the way has reinforced why we do what we do — to inspire others to overcome their own challenges and keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about FS Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness?
At FS Mixed Martial Arts, we are more than just a martial arts school — we are a community built on resilience, growth, and transformation. We specialize in teaching real-world mixed martial arts, offering classes in kickboxing, jiu jitsu, MMA, and self-defense for both kids and adults. Our training is designed to help individuals gain confidence, improve fitness, learn practical skills, and find an outlet to better themselves both physically and mentally.
What sets us apart is our philosophy: we teach students to be “formless, shapeless,” inspired by Bruce Lee’s belief in adapting to whatever life throws at you. It’s not just about technique — it’s about mindset. We focus on helping students become the best version of themselves inside and outside the gym. We pride ourselves on creating an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and truly family-oriented. Whether someone is looking to compete, learn self-defense, get fit, or just find a place where they feel like they belong, FS MMA offers that home.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of how we’ve grown a community that reflects resilience, grit, and heart. After overcoming the setback of closing during the pandemic, our comeback and continued growth speak volumes about the strength of our students and staff. We don’t just build martial artists — we build leaders, role models, and empowered individuals.
If you’re looking for a place that combines world-class martial arts instruction with heart, real connection, and a deep commitment to personal growth, FS Mixed Martial Arts is the place for you.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Katy is the strong sense of community. It’s a city that feels big enough to offer opportunity and growth, but small enough where people genuinely support one another. The diversity here is incredible, and you can feel the pride people have in their neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses. It’s a great place to raise a family, build connections, and make a real difference.
If there’s one thing I like least, it’s probably the rapid growth and the traffic that comes with it. As Katy continues to expand, sometimes it feels like the roads and infrastructure are playing catch-up. But even with those challenges, the spirit of the city and the quality of life here more than make up for it.
Pricing:
- Basic (2 classes a week) $125-159/month
- Elite (2 classes a week) $156-184/month
- Ultimate (unlimited classes) $182-209/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fsmmafitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fsmmafitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fsmmakaty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fsmmafitness
