Dutch fighter Ernesto Hoost claimed his third K-1 Grand Prix title Sunday at a packed Tokyo Dome when he won the final by judges' decision over New Zealand's Ray Sefo.
Hoost, the defending champion, was tested early in the tournament, having to go an extra round before winning his opening bout against Croatia's Mirko CroCop.
"It was hard because I had to fight all the rounds, plus one round extra," the 35-year-old Hoost said after the championship bout. "But I have to support my kids and this is going to make it a lot easier," Hoost added, in reference to his $400,000 winner's check.
In the semifinals, Hoost scored a three-round win by decision over Brazilian karate expert Francisco Filho.
Sefo, who was added to the eight-man field in the finals when Mike Bernardo and Jerome Le Banner were forced to withdraw due to injury and illness, beat Japan's Musashi with a first-round knockout before scoring another first-round KO over Frenchman Cyril Abidi in the semis.
Abidi had actually lost to Holland's Peter Aerts in their opening match, but a headbutt by Abidi opened up a cut over Aerts' eye that prevented him from fighting his next bout. K-1 rules dictate that if a fighter is unable to compete in his next match, his last opponent will take his place.
The evening began with a moving video tribute to Swiss K-1 fighter Andy Hug, who passed away this past summer at the age of 35 after losing a battle with leukemia.
K-1 is a form of martial arts that combines elements of traditional boxing, kickboxing and karate. It was started in 1993 by Kazuyoshi Ishii.