SIMON Small - fighter and coach for Hereford Contact Karate Club and the Combat Academy - faced the toughest test of his 17-year career when he competed in the mixed martial arts 'cage fight' at Kidderminster.

Small faced Welshman Paul Matthews in an international bout for the vacant Grapple and Strike heavyweight title over two five minute rounds of full contact punching, kicking and knee strikes, combined with submission and grappling techniques.

And at the end the verdicts of the three judges was a draw - and a re-match has been arranged in May.