It's my martial arts world

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Of course he wants to be an MMA star.

MC Hammer -- the 48-year-old entrepreneur, rapper, dancer, reality TV star, ordained minister and former Oakland A's bat boy -- said his recent foray into mixed martial arts isn't a gimmick.

In July, the former Stanley Burrell created Alchemist Management, promoting about 15 MMA stars, including Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko and Nate Marquardt.

"If I could today, I'd be a fighter myself," said Hammer, who still looks in dancing, if not fighting, shape. "I love the combat. The world is like that today. Everyone loves to battle. You get all your frustrations out."

Hammer said that while growing up in Oakland, he was big into karate and a big fan of legendary fighter/movie star Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco. In fact, Hammer and the neighborhood children would have karate battles.

"We would fight kids from other neighborhoods," he said, "and then we'd go to the legendary Lux Theatre to watch the karate movies."

In fact, Hammer said if you look at his video for Addam's Groove, you can see some karate-style moves.

"See, I've been big into it for a long time," said Hammer, who also boxed while in military service. "That's why I think I would have gotten into MMA fighting if I were young again."

But now he'll just focus on the promoting the sport.

Just a few weeks ago, he helped UFC president Dana White with a little situation in the Bay area when the San Francisco Chronicle wasn't covering much UFC. White used Twitter to spread his thoughts on the subject, and Hammer joined the fray.

"I didn't do much, but I thought it was important that the newspaper understood how big MMA was becoming," Hammer said. "So, while I was doing business in New York, I called the Chronicle's editor to voice my opinions. I did my little part to help. The sport is going to change the world."

And Hammer said he'll be there to see it happen. I guess you could say … it's Hammer's Time again.

"And, no matter how overwhelming a fight can get," he said, "you can always tap out!"