A heavyweight MMA contest between former top UFC heavyweight contender Jeff Monson and MMA ironman Travis Fulton, as well as a boxing matchup pitting hip-hip icon DMX and actor Eric Martinez, headline an upcoming hybrid MMA/boxing event.

The two bouts are part of Thunder Promotions' "Alabama Pride" event.

The show takes place Dec. 12 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Alabama.

"(The) 'Snowman' and 'Ironman' fight card was chosen by popular demand, and having DMX duel Eric Martinez for our co-main event, well this is the ingredients that will produce an incredible night here in Birmingham," stated Thunder Promotions CEO Rod Riccardi. "We have a host of surprise guest who will be stopping through so it’s going to be a night to remember."

Although he's competed with organizations such as the UFC and PRIDE, Monson (31-9) also mixes in a number of main-event fights on smaller cards. Aside from DREAM, Monson's seven-fight win streak he posted earlier this year came mostly in regional promotions where he was the top draw. Most recently, though, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Pedro Rizzo at Bitetti Combat 4 in Brazil.

Fulton (226-39-7), meanwhile, has competed in organizations ranging from the tiny (whose results have rarely been recorded by the major databases) to renowned, such as the UFC. Since April 2005, he's 29-3 and is carrying a current five-fight win streak. In a recent interview with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), the veteran fighter said he hoped to make one final appearance in the UFC before he calls it a career.