Ernesto “Mr. Perfect” Hoost (born July 11, 1965) is a retired Dutch kickboxer and four-time K-1 World Champion. He made his début in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one win short of the world title. He announced his retirement on December 2, 2006 after the K-1 World GP Final tournament in Tokyo Dome, Japan.

Biography

Hoost’ family is originally from Suriname. In 1993, in his first K-1 World Grand Prix, in quarterfinals Hoost defeated Peter Aerts by decision, knocked out Maurice Smith in semis and advanced to the tournament finals where he was knocked out by Branko Cikatic. Hoost got another shot at a title on December 19, 1993, when he won the K-2 World Championship, knocking out Changpuek Kiatsongrit in four rounds. This was the only time the K-1 organization held a K-2 tournament.

Hoost reached the K-1 World Grand Prix Finals again in 1995, but lost to Peter Aerts by a four round decision. He went on to win every fight the remainder of that year. In 1996, he lost at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1996 finals to Andy Hug by a four round split decision. He finally became K-1 World Champion in 1997 when he beat Hug by a three-round unanimous decision.

Hoost was unable to defend his title at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1998 tournament, being technically knocked out in the quarterfinals by Australian Sam Greco due to being unable to start the 3rd round after a cut above his left eye; he was mostly dominated in the fight by Greco, the latter however suffered a cracked left ankle for his troubles.

In 1999, Hoost won his second K-1 World Grand Prix title, beating Mirko Filipović by technical knockout in the third round. On April 23, 2000 he avenged his loss to Greco when he beat him by a technical knockout.

Hoost retained the K-1 World Grand Prix Championship title for third time in 2000 by defeating Ray Sefo. By then, many K-1 fans were hoping for a meeting between Hoost and Bob Sapp. Hoost returned to defend his crown in 2001 defeating Stefan Leko. However, he was forced to retire from the tournament due to an injured shin before the semi-finals.

The highly anticipated fight with Bob Sapp came at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Eliminations. Sapp won by a first round knockout after the doctor stopped the match on cuts. Despite the loss he was again matched up with Sapp in the quarter finals of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2002. After knocking Sapp down in first round, Hoost lost to Sapp again in a wild slugfest by second round KO.

After the fight however, Sapp had broken his hand and suffered four cracked ribs and wasn’t able to continue, allowing Hoost to replace him in the semi-finals. Hoost beat Ray Sefo in first round by TKO, after Sefo damaged his shin against Hoost’s kneecap. Hoost proceeded to his fifth K-1 Finals, and was matched up against Jerome Le Banner. The fight was competitive up until the third and final round when Le Banner injured his arm blocking Hoost’s kick. Hoost aggressively attacked the arm, forcing Le Banner down twice more, winning by TKO and his fourth Grand Prix Championship. Le Banner suffered a severe compound fracture, putting him out of competition for over a year.

In addition to his Grand Prix titles Ernesto Hoost fought a number of Super fights. In 2005 he was again in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 finals, in which he lost to the eventual Grand Prix champion Remy Bonjasky.

In 2006, Hoost declared that he would fight his last tournament in K-1. In the K-1 World Grand Prix 2006, Hoost was defeated in the semi-finals by Semmy Schilt. An emotional Hoost was met with a standing ovation from the audience as he left the arena.

Hoost, who is well known in the Netherlands, is also a celebrity in Japan, where many of his fights have taken place. He has also fought in Australia, France and the United States, among other countries.

Hoost is currently training Paul Slowinski and under his guidance Slowinski has won the K-1 tournament 2007 in Amsterdam. He has also trained leg strikes, wrestling, and other skills with PRIDE Champion Fedor Emelianenko.

Hoost was also present as a cornerman for UFC Fighter Antoni Hardonk in Hardonk’s UFC 85 battle with Eddie Sanchez and in Hardonk’s UFC 92 win over Mike Wessel.

Hoost currently lives in the town of Hoorn, together with his wife and children.

Hoost speaks five languages, including his mother tongue, Dutch.

Titles

• 2002 K-1 World GP champion
• 2000 K-1 World GP champion
• 1999 K-1 World GP champion
• 1997 K-1 World GP champion
• 1994 ISKA World Full Contact champion in Marseilles, France
• 1994 K-2 GP champion in Amsterdam, Netherlands
• 1993 K-2 GP champion in Tokyo, Japan
• 1990 WKA World Kickboxing champion in Amsterdam, Netherlands
• 1989 Muay Thai World Champion in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• 1989 Savate World Champion in Paris, France
• 1988 WKA European Kickboxing champion in Strasbourg, France
• 1988 Savate European champion in Strasbourg, France
• 1988 ISKA European Full Contact champion in Le Harve, France
• 1988 European Muay Thai Champion in Arnhem, the Netherlands
• 1987 Dutch Muay Thai Champion in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

TV Appearances

Ernesto has starred in a batsu game, Silent Library edition of a Japanese variety TV show called Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!, the video of which has increased his popularity among internet denizens. In the episode in which Ernesto participated in, players sat in a library and flipped over cards in a Russian roulette manner. If their card revealed a batsu/skull and crossbones (instead of ‘Safe’), then they must endure a punishment while keeping quiet the whole time (as they are in a library). Ernesto suffered through three punishments: getting a nose hair plucked, having a balloon inflate then explode in his shirt, and having a baseball player swing at his behind with a bat.

He also made an appearance as a police officer during the 24-hour punishment game at the Shakure Police Station in 2006.