CAGE-FIGHTING will return to York with a new Rule as a leading attraction.

The bill for Cage Confrontation II – the second exposure of the martial arts maelstrom since its debut in York four months ago – will feature York-based fighter Ben Rule.

And his mission will be to achieve a double on the seconds out show when it is held at York’s Energise centre on March 12.

The 32-year-old Rule, who works as a taxi-driver while training to be a plumber, wrapped up the final competition of 2010 with a comprehensive victory over a Lancashire opponent at the National Fighters show in Blackburn.

Immediately after the verdict the vanquished fighter demanded a re-match which Rule was only too ready to agree to.

Now they will meet again in a no-holds-barred semi-professional contest at Energise in Acomb in just under two months’ time.

Said show co-promoter Gaz Watkinson: “Ben beat his rival in just 90 seconds and then straight away the local lad said he would welcome a re-match in York.

“So that fight will be among the top ones on our second show.

“Ben has been doing mixed martial arts for four years and has had seven semi-pro fights.”

Energise, the Cornlands Road venue, hosted the first cage-fighting extravaganza in the city back in September.

Back then no fewer than 17 fights were staged in a promotion labelled Cage Confrontation and run by United Masters Promotions.

That was a new partnership set up by Watkinson, who runs the York-based Multi Masters Academy in Layerthorpe, and former world kick-boxing champion Tony Dias, the founder of the United Martial Arts College in Norton.

Again the duo are promoting the second venture, which will differ from the first in that it will be held on a Saturday night rather than last September’s Sunday afternoon.

Both men are expecting the same level of commitment and a similar family-type atmosphere which graced the inaugural show.

Said Watkinson, “Again we will be having youngsters fighting on the bill, and as it’s the same following of supporters, including many families, then we expect the second show will have the same sort of feel about it.

“These are mixed martial arts competitors, enthusiasts and supporters and they would come and support the show if it was held early on a Wednesday morning, let alone a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.”

There will be another twist to the second show of strength, skill, stamina, stealth and speed.

Cage Confrontation II will act as a fund-raiser for the Off The Hook charity, the learning centre which has sprung from the York Boxing Club at the same Redeness Street base in Layerthorpe, where Watkinson’s Multi Masters Academy is also sited.

Watkinson, whose MMA establishment was set up with the aid of Off The Hook, said: “We hope as many people attend as we want to raise as much money as we can for Off The Hook.”