On February 21st, MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park will serve as a proving ground for rising talent, and few names on the card are as intriguing as Eric Huynh.
Set to face Blaize Nichols at Cage Titans: Revolution, Huynh brings a straightforward mindset, an unconventional path into MMA, and the backing of Boston powerhouse Back to Basics. On a New England card stacked with hungry prospects, this matchup reflects the kind of grit and authenticity that defines regional fighting at its core.
A Different Beginning
Not every fighter finds MMA through competition or childhood ambition. For Eric Huynh, the spark came from Japanese manga.
“I just read a comic about fighting and I was like, you know what, I want to try that,” Huynh said with a laugh.
The series was Kengan Ashura, a story centered on underground combat and high-stakes clashes between unlikely warriors. Instead of simply enjoying the narrative, Huynh decided to see what it felt like to step into that world himself.
Fortunately, opportunity was close.
“Luckily enough, I had an MMA gym like two minutes from my house that was free for anybody under 18,” he said. “So I just went there.”
From there, the progression felt natural. After graduating high school and enrolling in college, he found himself training at Back to Basics, which happened to be right next to campus.
“Back to Basics was right next to my college. So then I went there.”
Since beginning his journey in 2019 and competing more seriously by 2022, Huynh’s motivation has remained surprisingly simple.
“Honestly, I think it’s the family that I’ve developed in MMA and the friends I’ve met along the way that just keeps me going.”
Built at Back to Basics
Back to Basics has long been considered one of Boston’s foundational gyms, known for its demanding culture and deep roster. For Huynh, the environment has been essential to his growth.
“As mentality-wise, like everybody always wants to fight,” he explained. “We probably have the largest team in Boston, so even if you’re not in a fight camp, you’re helping one of your boys in a fight camp. In a way, you’re always growing and always being pushed.”
That collective momentum has made this particular camp stand out.
“I feel like for a while now, a couple of my camps have been kind of iffy,” he admitted. “But the fact that this card is in Boston and I’m training with so many teammates who are also on the card has helped a lot with my motivation and just being able to stay locked in.”
Even the details, such as the weight cut, have felt more dialed in this time around.
“Diet-wise, this has been one of the best camps for me to cut weight. This has been pretty good — probably the best one so far.”
For a developing fighter, those incremental improvements can make a real difference.
Focused, Not Distracted
As for Blaize Nichols, Huynh has done his preparation without obsessing over what’s on the other side of the cage.
“I know a couple of things about what he likes to do, so we worked on dealing with that,” he said. “Other than that, I know his height, but not much else.”
Tracking down footage proved more challenging than expected.
“I couldn’t even watch most of his fights because Combat FC is weird and they don’t post amateur fights,” he said. “So I had to ask some people around for tips.”
Still, there’s no animosity in his voice — just practicality.
“I’m not going in blind, but I don’t really care about the kid, about Blaize. No disrespect. I’m just there to fight him. If I need to adjust mid-fight, I’ll do that.”
There’s no manufactured rivalry here, only readiness.
Why This Night Matters
Competing at MGM Music Hall is significant, especially for a local fighter who has developed entirely within the Boston scene.
“I think it’s more special because of what it represents,” Huynh said. “It represents the MMA community growing.”
Outside of the UFC, large-scale MMA events in Boston have been rare, making Cage Titans: Revolution feel like something of a milestone.
“Other than the UFC, I don’t remember any other large MMA promotion at this level being shown in Boston.”
For Huynh, this isn’t just another amateur bout on a record. It’s a step forward — not only for himself, but for the regional ecosystem that helped build him.
“A couple years down the line, this will be just like any other fight,” he said. “But right now, this is a big step in growing as a person, as an athlete, and just growing the sport as a whole.”
The Human Side
Behind the discipline and grind, Huynh keeps his personal life refreshingly grounded.
One of his favorite ways to unwind is listening to an album called Brazilian Skies.
“It’s one of the best albums out there,” he said. “Every weekend when I get high after practice, I just put that on and watch my favorite show.”
Add in some KFC and a Netflix binge, and it becomes clear that he isn’t trying to craft an image. He’s simply comfortable being himself — inside and outside the cage.
February 21st: A Step Forward
On February 21st, Eric Huynh trades the local gym grind for the lights of MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park — the kind of stage that can shift a career’s trajectory.
For a fighter built inside Boston’s grassroots scene, it’s more than another matchup. It’s proof that the work is carrying him somewhere.
Whether in the building or watching live on SpectationSports, this is the kind of night that reveals what comes next.
