Ernesto “Mr. Perfect” Hoost was a Light and Heavyweight Muay Thai Kickboxer from Hoorn, Netherlands. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, he began competing at the age of 18 and amassed a record of 99 wins, 62 By Knockout 21 losses, and 1 draw with more than 20 years in the sport. His influence on the sport of Kickboxing is so significant that without him, heavyweight kickboxing might not have reached its current heights.
During his career, he defeated many popular fighters in Kickboxing and won numerous championships. In 2006, he officially retired, ending one of the most successful careers in combat sports.
From Soccer Fields to the Ring: Ernesto Hoost’s Journey
Born on July 11, 1965, in Heemskerk, North Holland, Ernesto initially pursued soccer. After not making the cut for a team, he realized soccer wasn’t for him and turned his focus to another sport.
At the age of 15, he shifted to Muay Thai and enrolled in Sokundo gym. There, he trained for six years under Tom Vriend before competing in his first match on December 11, 1983, against Wim Scharrenberg.
Ernesto knocked out his opponent in the second round and went on to win nine straight matches before losing to Ernest Simmons in 1986.
The Rise of “Mr. Perfect”: Ernesto Hoost’s “Vos Gym Years“
As his career progressed, he accumulated some losses but also garnered numerous titles. In 1987, Ernesto began training at Vos Gym under the guidance of Johan Vos and Jan Plas.
From 1987 to 1992, he won 10 Kickboxing titles, including the WMAT, WKA, and Savate world titles. Additionally, he claimed the WKA, Savate, and ISKA European championships, as well as the Dutch Muay Thai title.
Conquering the K-1 World Grand Prix: Ernesto Hoost’s Triumphs
The K-1 World Grand Prix was the most prestigious kickboxing tournament, representing the zenith of combat sports. It brought together the best fighters from various disciplines like karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing to compete for the title. The tournament’s format was grueling, with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals all happening on the same night, creating some of the most epic storylines in combat sports history.
In 1993, Ernesto finished 2nd in the K-1 Grand Prix in his debut, won the WMTA and WKA titles, and emerged victorious in the K-2 Grand Prix.
In K-1, he defeated Peter Aerts in the quarterfinals and Maurice Smith in the semifinals before losing to Branko Cikatić in the finale. For the WMTA and WKA titles, he defeated Tasis Petridis.
In K-2, he won the title by defeating Manson Gibson, Adam Watt, and Changpuek Kiatsongrit. He continued his dominance by winning the K-2 Tournament and the ISKA Light Heavyweight World title the following year.
By combining elements of Muay Thai, Japanese kickboxing, and Dutch kickboxing, Hoost developed a brutally effective style, becoming the greatest heavyweight kickboxer ever by winning four K-1 World Grand Prix titles in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002
Along the way, he defeated tough adversaries and became a true legend in Kickboxing, including victories over fighters like Mirko Filipović, Mike Bernardo, Mark Hunt, Cyril Abidi, and Ray Sefo. He also had mixed results against Peter Aerts, Andy Hug, Jérôme Le Banner, Sam Greco, Bob Sapp and Francisco Filho. Finally, he faced but lost to Remy Bonjasky, and Semmy Schilt at the end of his career.
Despite setbacks, such as his losses to Branko Cikatić and Bob Sapp, Hoost demonstrated resilience and determination. He avenged his losses and continued to refine his techniques, solidifying his legacy as the greatest kickboxer of all time. His strategic approach and ability to adapt to different opponents made him a formidable force in the ring.
The Final Bell: Ernesto Hoost’s Retirement and Legacy
On December 2, 2006, Ernesto retired from K-1 officially after losing in the semifinals of the K-1 World Grand Prix to Semmy Schilt via unanimous decision.
At the age of 48, Hoost made an incredible return to the ring after his official retirement in 2006. He secured a unanimous decision victory against Thomas Stanley at Hoost Cup: Legend in Nagoya, Japan, on March 23, 2014.
He then went on to defeat Peter Aerts in their sixth re-match by unanimous decision on October 19, 2014, in Osaka, claiming the vacant WKO World Heavyweight Championship.
Ernesto was an orthodox, powerful fighter known for his quick hands and legs. Of his 99 wins, 62 came by knockout and 36 by decision.
Ernesto Hoost’s impact on kickboxing is immeasurable. His journey through the K-1 World Grand Prix and his legendary battles have left an indelible mark on the sport. As the heavyweight Grand Prix returns, inspired by the legacy of fighters like Hoost, new generations can appreciate the history and significance of these epic tournaments.
The Best of Ernesto Hoost
K-2 Tournament 1993
Ernesto Hoost vs Adam Watt | K-2 World Grand Prix 1993
Ernesto Hoost vs Changpuek Kiatsongrit | K-2 World Grand Prix 1993
K-1 Grand Prix 1993
Peter Aerts vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 Grand Prix 1993
Maurice Smith vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 Grand Prix 1993
Branko Cikatic vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 Grand Prix 1993
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 1995
Ernesto Hoost vs Michael Thompson | K-1 Revenge II 1995
Ernesto Hoost vs Maurice Travis | K-1 Hercules 1995
Ernesto Hoost vs John Kleijn | K-1 World Grand Prix 1995
Peter Aerts vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 1995
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 1996
Ernesto Hoost vs Jerome Le Banner | K-1 Star Wars 1996
Ernesto Hoost vs Ray Sefo | K-1 Hercules 1996
Ernesto Hoost vs Stuart Green | K-1 Grand Prix 1996 Opening Battle
Mirko Cro Cop vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 Grand Prix 1996
Ernesto Hoost vs Andy Hug | K-1 Grand Prix 1996
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 1997
Ernesto Hoost vs Duane Van Der Merwe | K-1 Kings 1997
Ernesto Hoost vs Mike Bernardo | K-1 Braves 1997
Ernesto Hoost vs Shaun Johnson | K-1 Fight Night 1997
Stefan Leko vs Ernesto Hoost K 1 GRAND PRIX 1997 1st Round
Ernesto Hoost vs Jerome Le Banner | K-1 World Grand Prix 1997
Ernesto Hoost vs Andy Hug | K-1 World Grand Prix 1997
Francisco Filho vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 1997
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 1998
Peter Aerts vs Ernesto Hoost K-1 Kings 1998
Ernesto Hoost vs Jean Riviere | K-1 Braves 1998
Ernesto Hoost vs Musashi | K-1 Dream 1998
Ernesto Hoost vs Maurice Smith | K-1 USA 1998
Ernesto Hoost vs Tasis Petridis | K-1 WGP 1998
Ernesto Hoost vs Sam Greco K 1 World Grand Prix 1998
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 1999
Xhavit Bajrami vs. Ernesto Hoost I K-1 World Grand Prix ’99 opening round
Andy Hug vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 1999
Ernesto Hoost vs Jerome Le Banner | K-1 World Grand Prix 1999
Mirko Cro Cop vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 1999
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 2000
Mirko Cro Cop vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 2000
Ernesto Hoost vs Francisco Filho | K-1 World Grand Prix 2000
Ernesto Hoost vs Ray Sefo | K-1 World Grand Prix 2000
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 2001
Musahsi vs. Ernesto Hoost K-1 BURNING 2001
Stefan Leko vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 2001
Mark Hunt 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Semi-finals
Ernesto Hoost Vs. Matt Skelton K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Final
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 2002
Ernesto Hoost Vs. Tsuyoshi Nakasako | K-1 Burning 2002
Ernesto Hoost Vs. Stefan Leko | K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Paris
Ernesto Hoost Vs. Jan Nortje | K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Las Vegas
Ernesto Hoost Vs Bob Sapp K1 WGP 2002 Elimination Part 1
Ernesto Hoost Vs Bob Sapp K1 WGP 2002 Elimination Part 2
Bob Sapp vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 2002
Ray Sefo vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 2002
Ernesto Hoost vs Jerome Le Banner | K-1 World Grand Prix 2002
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 2004
Remy Bonjasky vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Final
Ernesto Hoost Kickboxing Matches in 2006
Ernesto Hoost vs Chalid Arrab | K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Final
Semmy Schilt vs Ernesto Hoost | K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Final