During our recovery week (better known as Tax Time), we took a Sunday off to check out some local amateur fights put on by our friend Turi Altavilla at the Avalon in Hollywood.  Dubbed, University of MMA, and sporting solid poster art, Turi wanted to put together a promotion that wasn’t all skulls and blood splatters, just good fights and a fun time.  The lovely deco Avalon (it’ll always be The Palace to me) was packed into the upper levels, outside, the line to enter wrapped around the building.

I showed up with my cameras but I wanted to spend most of my time at U of MMA experiencing the fights from a fan’s point of view, try to kick back and enjoy some fights.  It was a solid card.  Jay Tan’s matchmaking culled talent from all over southern California and pitted them in fairly even, action-filled bouts.  Amateur fights are often one-sided beatings, but nearly every fight was a solid scrap.  Can’t wait for the next card.

The venue was certainly a nice touch too.  I’ve been going to the Palace/Avalon since I was a teenager and it was nice to revisit where I’d seen so many bands.

Check out a few of the photos I snapped while chilling in Hollywood at U of MMA and if you’re in the LA area, be sure to come out for the next show!