Troubled rapper DMX the latest celeb trying to cash in on MMA

By Maggie Hendricks

The rapper DMX is scheduled for a fight against Eric Martinez on the same card where Butterbean will take on Tank Abbott.

Go ahead, read that sentence again, and let it soak in.

Thunder Promotions, who is putting on this card in Birmingham, Ala. on Dec. 12, must not have been satisfied that the Butterbean/Tank Abbott bout was enough of a freak show fight. Eric "Butterbean" Esch, at 5'11", 350 lbs., will likely outweigh the veteran Abbott by nearly 100 lbs.

But nothing screams freak show fights like a celebrity bout. DMX, the rapper who once was a part of Ruff Ryders, has become better known for his run-ins with the law than his musical talents. Cocaine and marijuana possession, theft, animal cruelty, criminal weapon possession, DUI, parole violations and giving a false name and social security number at a hospital are all part of his past.

In a recent interview, DMX said that he is working on two albums now because "the streets need him." He didn't mention any training for MMA, but hey, who needs to train for a fight? The good news for DMX is that MMA is not regulated in Alabama, which is why freak show fights like this can happen. Drug testing is usually under the control of the state regulatory commissions, so DMX will most likely not have to take a drug test.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and baseball player Jose Canseco have also dipped their toes in the MMA pool. With Canseco, his fight ended in 77 seconds. Let's see if DMX can last that long.

lol DMX really thats some funny sh*t wow like you thread said i sat here and read it like 3 time before i could get it threw my thick head... DMX... well i hope someone gets this event uploaded i would like to see Tank again for sure..ok maybe see how DMX does to...

dmx will get smashed....were my dogs at ggggrgrgrrrrr...on the real he is fighting someone from his crew its a bit wwe.

LOL what a freak show.

Sweet Jesus Alabama, What's a MMA fan to do?

DMX lol you are kidding me

Good good, I hope this will be the way all rappers will solve their disputes in the future so that we dont have to see any talents like Tupac etc go to waist.

Coming up: 50 cent vs. Kaney West

i wonder where DMX trained to prepare for this fight, it'll be interesting to see if he possesses any skills.