Dmx - Dmx Steps Up For Martial Arts Fight

Rapper DMX is stepping into the ring to take part in a celebrity mixed martial arts fight against rising actor ERIC MARTINEZ.

The hip-hop star, real name Earl Simmons, has been in training to take on Martinez in an Alabama Pride MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) event in December (09).

But DMX isn't taking the bout too seriously - his representative tells TMZ.com he has been "working out really hard, eating right" and is "looking forward to having some fun".

The rapper, who served jail time in Arizona earlier this year (09) on charges of drug possession, animal cruelty and theft, escaped another lengthy prison spell in June (09) after he was sentenced to 18 months probation for verbally threatening a guard while behind bars.