Kickboxing has produced some of the most legendary fighters in combat sports history. From the early days of K-1 Grand Prix tournaments to the modern reign of GLORY champions, the sport has seen icons who shaped its global appeal. In this 2025 edition, we rank the top 20 best kickboxers of all time, highlighting their titles, achievements, and legacies.
The List: Top 20 Best Kickboxers of All Time
In no particular order (but roughly ranked by impact, titles, and skill):
- Ernesto Hoost
- Giorgio Petrosyan
- Semmy Schilt
- Buakaw Banchamek
- Rico Verhoeven
- Tenshin Nasukawa
- Chingiz Allazov
- Remy Bonjasky
- Peter Aerts
- Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong
- Masato Kobayashi
- Badr Hari
- Rob Kaman
- Ramon Dekkers
- Lucia Rijker
- Andy Hug
- Jorina Baars
- Branko Cikatić
- Superlek Kiatmuu9
- (Honorable mention / rising legend) — maybe someone like Petchpanomrung Kiatmookao
Profiles: What Makes Each a Kickboxer Legend
Here’s a profile of each kickboxer, with their titles, awards, signature styles, and enduring legacy.
1. Ernesto Hoost (“Mr. Perfect”)
- Nationality: Netherlands Wikipedia
- Record: ~99 wins (62 by KO), 21 losses, 1 draw.
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Four-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002)
- World Champion in Full Contact (ISKA), Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Savate; European and Dutch championships in multiple disciplines.
- Known for technical precision, combinations, and durability.
- Legacy: Ernesto Hoost is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights ever. His ability to adapt, fight against all styles, and remain at top level for many years makes him a benchmark for greatness.
2. Giorgio Petrosyan (“The Doctor”)
- Nationality: Armenian-Italian
- Record & Style: Extremely high win percentage, outstanding technical skill, defense, timing.
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Two-time K-1 MAX Grand Prix Champion
- GLORY, ONE Championship titles in various weight classes
- Defeated many top-level names (Andy Souwer, Mike Zambidis, etc.) with consistent dominance.
- Legacy: Perhaps the most technical kickboxer ever. Many fight fans admire his near “flawless” style. He’s often used as the benchmark for what great timing, footwork, and ring IQ look like.
3. Semmy Schilt
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Record / Physical attributes: Very tall, immense reach, size, using those plus technique to dominate heavyweights.
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Four-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
- Also held GLORY Heavyweight and other major tournament titles.
- Legacy: His dominance at heavyweight, especially in tournaments where multiple fights in one night are required, sets him apart. Many regard him as the biggest physical force in kickboxing history.
4. Buakaw Banchamek
- Nationality: Thailand
- Record: ~244 wins, 25 losses, 14 draws, with a high number of knockouts.
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Two-time K-1 MAX Grand Prix World Champion
- Shoot Boxing S-Cup Champion (2010), Thai Fight Tournament Champion, multiple Muay Thai stadium and world titles.
- Legacy: Perhaps the most famous Thai kickboxer globally, bridging Muay Thai and K-1. Buakaw’s style, charisma, and ability to excite fans has made him a household name beyond just hardcore kickboxing followers.
5. Rico Verhoeven
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Reigning and long-reigning GLORY Heavyweight Champion, with many title defenses.
- Wins over top heavyweights like Badr Hari, Jamal Ben Saddik, etc.
- Legacy: Known as “King of Kickboxing”; holds one of the most sustained periods of dominance in heavyweight divisions in modern kickboxing. Represents modern era athleticism, training, and consistency.
6. Tenshin Nasukawa
- Nationality: Japan
- Record & Style: Undefeated (in kickboxing) for many years, high knockout rate; flashy style, speed, showmanship.
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Multiple RISE titles, major tournament wins in Japan; also achievements in boxing side for crossover interest.
- Legacy: One of the few modern fighters whose reputation rivals the old era legends; strong fanbase, influence especially among younger audiences. He also helps bridge combat sports crossovers (kickboxing → boxing, etc.).
7. Chingiz Allazov
- Nationality: Azerbaijani / Belarusian
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion
- 2021 ONE Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix Winner
- Ex-K-1 Super Welterweight Champion; WAKO-Pro titles; Nuit des Champions super welterweight; multiple tournament wins.
- Legacy: One of the most feared strikers of his generation. Combines power, precision, and strong knockout capability. In his peak years, he’s been considered among the top pound-for-pound kickboxers in the world.
8. Remy Bonjasky (“The Flying Gentleman”)
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Three-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
- Wins vs big names: Badr Hari, Errol Zimmerman, etc. Known for spectacular flying knees.
- Legacy: Famed for his athletic style and big fight performances. One of the fighters who helped popularize kickboxing globally during the peak K-1 years. His style and persona have stayed memorable.
9. Peter Aerts
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Three-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
- Record of many decades, many opponent names; heavy knockout power.
- Legacy: Known as “The Dutch Lumberjack,” his high kicks, persistence, and longevity in the sport make him a canonized figure in kickboxing lore.
10. Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong
- Nationality: Thailand
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Former GLORY Lightweight (70 kg) Champion, Wu Lin Feng (71 kg) Champion
- Multiple wins over top level opponents, consistent performances across many tournaments.
- Legacy: A beautiful technical striker combining Muay Thai roots with modern kickboxing speed. Widely respected and often seen as the benchmark in lighter weight classes.
11. Masato Kobayashi
- Nationality: Japan
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Two-time K-1 MAX Grand Prix World Champion
- Many major wins during the golden era of K-1 MAX.
- Legacy: Very popular in Japan; known for heart, comebacks, and entertaining style. For lighter divisions, Masato is a GOAT.
12. Badr Hari
- Nationality: Moroccan-Dutch
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Wins vs top heavyweights, multiple heavyweight tournament wins, etc.
- Highly feared KO power.
- Legacy: One of the most controversial but undeniable knockout artists in kickboxing. His fights draw attention and he has been a major figure in the heavyweight divisions.
13. Rob Kaman
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Nine-time World Kickboxing Champion; multiple Muay Thai and kickboxing world titles.
- Known especially for low kicks and devastating leg work.
- Legacy: Pioneer of Dutch kickboxing; influenced many fighters; one of the first Westerners to really test Muay Thai legends.
14. Ramon “The Diamond” Dekkers
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Several world titles in both kickboxing & Muay Thai; famous for fighting in Thailand and beating Thai champions.
- Legacy: One of the most beloved fighters; known for aggression, heart, and willingness to mix in any environment. Left a big mark especially in Muay Thai vs Western style encounters.
15. Lucia Rijker
- Nationality: Netherlands (but also fought internationally)
- Record & Style: Very high KO ratio, fighting both in kickboxing and boxing; considered one of the most dangerous women fighters ever.
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Numerous kickboxing world titles; nearly undefeated in both kickboxing and boxing.
- Legacy: Among female fighters, Lucia is frequently cited as one of the best ever. Her cross-sport success, technique, and dominance help her stand out.
16. Andy Hug
- Nationality: Switzerland
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Many kickboxing and Kyokushin background; famed for spectacular spinning techniques and popular appeal.
- Legacy: Hug’s popularity in Japan and around the world, style, and memorable fights make him a legend.
17. Jorina Baars
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Welterweight world champion in multiple organisations; matches against top female Muay Thai and kickboxing names.
- Legacy: Among female kickboxers, she has set high benchmarks, consistently delivering at top levels.
18. Branko Cikatić
- Nationality: Croatia
- Major Titles & Awards:
- First ever K-1 World Grand Prix Champion (1993)
- Many other wins; heavy punching knockout power.
- Legacy: As a pioneer, he opened many doors for European fighters in K-1 and globally.
19. Superlek Kiatmuu9
- Nationality: Thailand
- Major Titles & Awards:
- Multiple Lumpinee Stadium titles, Thailand national titles; WBC MuayThai World title; ONE Championship Kickboxing titles.
- Legacy: Known as “The Kicking Machine,” for his speed, technical skill, and dominance in lighter weight classes. One of the best of modern Muay Thai-inspired kickboxers.
20. Petchpanomrung Kiatmookao (Honorable Mention / Modern Star)
- Nationality: Thailand
- Major Titles & Awards: Cross-promotional titles, GLORY & RISE achievements; known for fight IQ, technical style.
- Legacy: While not always in the “top 20” lists historically, his continued performance in recent years merits inclusion among rising legends / modern greats.
Comparing Eras, Styles, and Weight Divisions
- Golden Era vs Modern Era: Fighters like Hoost, Schilt, Buakaw, Bonjasky dominate older K-1 tournament history, whereas modern stars like Nasukawa, Allazov, Sitthichai represent current high-level divisions.
- Heavyweight vs Lighter Weights: Because heavyweights draw more attention, legends in lighter classes sometimes are less known globally but equal in skill.
- Muay Thai influences: Many of these fighters cross between Muay Thai, K-1, and other kickboxing rules. That diversity of skill adds to their legacy.
Why These Kickboxers Make the Cut
- Titles & Championships — multiple major world titles, tournament wins.
- Longevity — staying at top level over years or decades.
- Quality of opposition — beating other legends, taking big names.
- Fan impact & influence — not just wins, but inspiring others, growing the sport.
- Style & technique — some are known for power, others for finesse, others for heart.
Conclusion
The history of kickboxing is filled with legendary names, and each of these fighters contributed to the sport’s global success. From K-1 icons like Ernesto Hoost and Peter Aerts to modern champions like Rico Verhoeven and Chingiz Allazov, these best kickboxers of all time shaped generations of combat sports fans.
FAQs
1. Who is considered the best kickboxer of all time?
Many consider Ernesto Hoost and Giorgio Petrosyan as the greatest, based on titles and skill.
2. Who is the best modern kickboxer?
Rico Verhoeven is widely recognized as the best active heavyweight kickboxer today.
3. Which country produces the best kickboxers?
The Netherlands, Thailand, and Japan are leading nations in kickboxing history.
4. Who was the most dominant K-1 fighter?
Semmy Schilt and Ernesto Hoost dominated K-1 with multiple Grand Prix wins.
5. Who is the best female kickboxer of all time?
Anissa Meksen and Jorina Baars are considered the greatest female kickboxers.
6. Who has the most K-1 titles?
Ernesto Hoost and Semmy Schilt each have 4 K-1 Grand Prix championships.
7. Who is the best Japanese kickboxer?
Masato Kobayashi and Takeru Segawa are among Japan’s finest.
8. What makes Giorgio Petrosyan special?
His defensive skills and precision earned him the nickname “The Doctor.”
9. Which kickboxer is known for flying knees?
Remy Bonjasky is famous for his spectacular flying knees.
10. Is Buakaw still fighting?
Yes, Buakaw remains active and continues to compete in exhibitions and events.
