FNT made its LA debut and it was too damn lit (Photo Recap)

Times three, so retreat or suffer defeat, FNT is back, 3-peat.

When Weezy dropped the masterpiece that is C3, it solidified him as one of the most innovative minds in the game. The third installation in the Carter series was a smash, but it was birthed from years of grinding on mixtapes and features that connected to spoke to hip-hop heads in a different way.

Similarly, FNT has been speaking to fight fans and creatives in a different way for years and just hit it’s 3-peat with Vol. III of their sanctioned fight series, NY vs LA.

After back-to-back sold out shows in New York, the fight night party mob with its roots embedded in the city’s downtown scene jet-setted to the west coast to answer the age-old question. Who wants smoke: NYC or LA?

Founder/Evil Genius behind the brand, Bekim Trenova first debuted the state team concept back at SXSW in 2014 with NY vs TX. Trenova is taking FNT global, with LA and Miami being the first stops, which only makes sense.

See, FNT is more than just a fight or a party, it’s an event that captures the vibe of intersecting communities, communities that span state lines and borders.

Alongside MATTE Projects and Matchmakers Mike Washington (NYFE) and Ed Rivas (USKO), Trenova geared up hit squads on both coasts including Harveer Singh and Najeeb Jones who made appearances at Vol. I and II.

The third installment of the event this year held no bars with collabs from brands like Under Armour Sportstyle, Chinatown Market and Packwoods for merch and fighter gear.

Dead Cat clothing and Authentic Muay Thai Supply running booths as well and Boris Bidjan Saberi outfitting Trenova in one of their signature leather Jackets.

On paper, the night saw three disciplines of martial arts mixed in with music, dance, and art performances, but in person, it was much more.

Walking into the Avalon on November 16 almost felt like the opening sequence of Belly. Bodies surrounded the boxing ring in the Hollywood staple, filled with strobe lights and large displays playing FNT b-roll with the signature blood-red logo shining.

Listening to DJ Mess Kid bump Sheck Wes while baddies passed out Packwoods pre-rolls ahead of the bouts gave the room an enigmatic buzz of anticipation that you just had to be there to feel.

For a show with such high production value, Vol. III still maintained FNT’s unique, intimate feel. While there was some seating, the majority of the crowd is immersed around the ring watching the exhibition of multiple arts come together.

The fight card started off with Cali on Cali matchups that highlighted local guns from LA’s local fight scene and then transitioned to east coast vs west coast bouts later in the night followed by a set from DJ Ruckus and performance from west coast legend, Warren G.

What’s truly magical about FNT is how included you feel when you’re there. There’s something for everyone and while that something may be different, everyone is living in the moment together.

Next year, FNT will be forming a national league for fighters to knuckle up for a strap. Peep flicks from vol. III below from our homie @pictureperfectproductions_ and keep an eye out for FNT at NYFW, Miami Music Week and another stand alone in LA in 2019