DMX is known to boast an extreme affinity for dogs, pit bulls in particular, but it looks as if the Yonkers rapper himself bit off a little more than he could chew when he agreed to participate in an MMA match next month.

As we have previously reported, the rapper pulled out of the match against a former member of his management team, Eric Martinez, due to “safety reasons.”

Thunder Promotions however, believes his reasoning for not owning up to his part of their collaborative bargain, is they wouldn’t agree to fix his fight.

Taller in stature and seemingly more street savvy, per his product, DMX still reportedly offered that he feared for his safety and that apparently figured into his decision to back out.

Thunder Promotions is suing the rapper for a whopping $1,000,000, claiming X led them on and they were forced to broker a deal with another rapper – Coolio - which in turn cost them even more money.

As one part of the undercard for “Alabama Pride,” Coolio is set to lock horns with Martinez on December 12.

Thunder Promotions didn’t have any trouble finding a replacement for DMX, as it was announced over the weekend that West Coast rap O.G. Coolio will fill in.

It is unclear at this point what the reasons are behind X’s great escape, but he cited safety precautions as the turning point in his commitment.

Others claimed DMX wanted the fight fixed and when Thunder Promotions denied that as an option, he pulled out.

Coolio will step into the ring with Eric Martinez, DMXs former manager on December 12 and is said to be taking the fight very seriously.

Coolio is best known for his hits “Fantastic Voyage” and “Gangster’s Paradise.”

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Known for his aggressive speak on the mic and equally destructive behavior, DMX is among the rap industry’s most violent personalities.

Come December 12, 2009, the Yonkers born product will get the opportunity to show the world whether his persona matches his heart, when he squares off in an MMA bout against Eric Martinez.

The match will take place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama as one part of the undercard of the Tank Abbott/ Butterbean match.

Promoters are dubbing the night “Alabama Pride” and expectedly, many are anxious to see what X will do in the ring. Don’t be surprised if the dog bites but doesn’t ‘lock’ though, as Martinez is said to be an official member of DMXs management team.

Martinez is also the CEO of Power Moves Entertainment, a multi-level entertainment company based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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