Alchemist Management to Transform Mixed Martial Arts Management

LOS ANGELES, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Three-time Grammy Award-winner MC Hammer has launched Alchemist Management (www.alchemistmgmt.com), a management, promotion, marketing and brand-building firm for MMA fighters.  Hammer serves as the new company's CEO and has named Lex McMahon as President and Nima Safapour as Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel.  Alchemist Management is based in Los Angeles.

Hammer brings significant experience in top-tier sports and entertainment management to Alchemist.  Prior to his celebrated musical career, he began his professional life in sports.  Later, after achieving worldwide fame in the music industry, he returned to the sporting world and represented professional athletes in contract negotiations.  In the 1990s, he managed Evander Holyfield to the world heavyweight boxing championship.

"I've been a fan of combat sports for years," said MC Hammer.  "MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and this is a great opportunity for us to launch a full-service management company.  Alchemist Management will leverage its relationships and resources for the benefit of fighters, the sponsors, and the industry at large."

Alchemist Management will represent athletes who compete in UFC®, Strikeforce, and other top MMA organizations.  At launch, the company represents a variety of both seasoned and fresh MMA talent, including Nate Marquardt (UFC middleweight contender), Tim Kennedy (Strikeforce middleweight contender), Vladimir Matyushenko (veteran UFC light-heavyweight), Jorge Rivera ("The Ultimate Fighter" alum and current UFC middleweight contender), James McSweeney ("The Ultimate Fighter" alum and current UFC light-heavyweight), Antoni Hardonk (UFC heavyweight), Jared Hamman (UFC light-heavyweight rising star), Steve Magdaleno (Pancrase & M-1 competitor), Luke Stewart (Strikeforce welterweight) and Alex Soto (UWC Mexico featherweight champion).  Alchemist fighter pages can be seen at www.alchemistmgmt.com.

Hammer is joined by executives Lex McMahon and Nima Safapour who will oversee day-to-day operations and fighter management.  McMahon is also the co-founder of Train the Troops MMA, an organization which facilitates the integration of MMA fighting techniques into active military units.  Safapour previously served as the CEO of No Limits Media Group (NLMG), a sports management and consultancy firm.  Earlier in his career, Safapour spent significant time training with the legendary Gracie family, pioneers in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

"Alchemist Management seeks to maximize all available opportunities for success and security for its athletes both inside and outside of competition," said Lex McMahon.    

Alchemist Management is dedicated to providing each of its fighters with a long-term business-minded strategy for career advancement.  The company strives to heighten the careers of its fighters through securing matchups in top promotions, sponsorships, training assistance and media relations and publicity in the entertainment industry as well as in MMA and sports press.  Alchemist works to raise the public profile of its fighters in MMA, sports and the entertainment business.

Hammer is renowned for his prowess as a social media marketer and has appeared as the keynote speaker at such high-profile events as the Intel Capital CEO Summit.  He has spoken at such prestigious institutions as the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Oxford University, and Stanford University, among others.  He is one of the most influential personalities on Twitter (@MCHammer) with more than 1.8 million followers.  He will use that social media acumen and his entertainment industry experience to help create opportunities for Alchemist fighters.  Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff recently stated the following about MC Hammer, "MC Hammer is one of the smartest guys I have ever met, a visionary in technology and music."

About Alchemist Management

Alchemist Management is a dynamic new name in the world of MMA athlete management and marketing.  Capitalizing on the deep experience and professionalism of its founding executive team, Alchemist Management creates unique opportunities in sports and entertainment for its clients who include some of the most popular names in MMA.  Alchemist sets itself apart by taking a holistic view of each athlete's situation, and contributing to every aspect of their life and career, including fight training, digital and traditional media development, cross-over industry exposure, business advisory services, corporate sponsorship development, and the ever-important, but often overlooked process of planning for a rich and fulfilling life after they wage their final battle in the cage.  Alchemist Management is based in Los Angeles.  For more information, please visit www.alchemistmgmt.com.  Also, follow Alchemist Management on Twitter at http://twitter.com/alchemistmma.

SOURCE Alchemist Management