MERIDIAN — A speeding car did to Jimmy Stewart what Bernard "Swiftkick" Robinson never could.

Knock him out.

Stewart, the Butler native who holds three world kickboxing titles and is 19-0 with 11 knockouts, was training inLas Vegas in February for a title defense.

As he was crossing the street, a car slammed into him and dragged him several feet.

Just like that, Stewart's career was over.

The injuries were extensive: a shredded knee and nine bulging disks in his back and neck.

The 47-year-old who thought he could punch and kick forever was suddenly forced into retirement.

"I had the initial shock of being struck by a car," Stewart said. "I was tucked under the car and thankful just to be alive."

Once Stewart knew he had survived, a whole other pain came over him: the realization his career was in jeopardy.

He tried to get back into the ring, throwing himself into extensive rehabilitation that is still ongoing.

But Dec. 10, he knew enough was enough and announced his retirement from a sport he dominated for more than a decade.

"My knee can't take the pounding of the road work I have to do," Stewart said. "Maybe if I was younger, I could come back. But I'm 47 and my knee can't take 12 rounds.

"I stayed on top for a long time."

Stewart turned pro in 1996. Only two years later, he won his first International KickboxingFederation title.

Two more followed, including several battles with friend and challenger Robinson.

In a 2001 bout at the Days Inn in Butler, Stewart beat Robinson at his own game, out-kicking the kicker.

In 2004, Stewart claimed the third of his trifecta of IKF titles — by default.

Stewart watched as six top contenders for the vacant IKF world title bailed on scheduled bouts. IKF president Steve Fossum awarded Stewart the title anyway.

"Stewart deserves this title simply because he challenged only the best," Fossum said.

Stewart has been inducted into the United States Martial Arts and the IKF halls of fame.

While Stewart is coming to grips with the abrupt end to his fighting career, he is still actively involved in the sport.

He runs a gym in Butler where he teaches kickboxing, tae kwon do and mixed martial arts.

Stewart has been spearheading a campaign to legalize mixed martial arts — otherwise known as ultimate fighting — in Pennsylvania.

The mixed martial arts rules in the state are very limiting, Stewart said.

"We're just waiting for them to revise it," Stewart said. "Right now, you can hold shows, but the fighters aren't allowed to do basically anything."

Stewart said during the time he has spent in Las Vegas, he has seen the transformation from traditional boxing to cage fights.

"The MGM, Mirage, all the casinos, it's all cage fighting now," Stewart said. "It used o be boxing, boxing, boxing, but it's unbelievable out there now. (Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter) Randy Couture is huge out there."

Stewart, never one to be left behind in the times, believes there is a huge market for mixed martial arts in Butler.

He is currently training an aspiring MMA fighter in Butler native JasonErdos.

But kickboxing will always have a special place in his heart.

When he thinks back on his career and meteoric rise to the top of his sport, he has no regrets.

"I'm undefeated. I have three world championships and I'm in two halls of fame," Stewart said. "Who can top that?"