Semmy Schilt Reportedly To Retire From Kickboxing

Semmy Schilt is a legend in the kickboxing arena, having won an astounding 4 K-1 Grand Prix titles and the Glory heavyweight championship on his way to a 43-6-1 record.  He made his last appearance on New Year’s Eve, TKO’ing Daniel Ghita with a left head kick. After the win, Schilt hinted that it was his last appearance inside the ring.

And today, we find out that the 2012-ending bout was indeed to be Schilt’s final fight. The 6’11” Dutchman has been advised to retire at the advice of his medical team, citing a heart condition. The story, reported by Liver Kick, stated that Schilt greatly struggled with making the decision.

Schilt will go down as one of the finest heavyweight kickboxers to ever lace up the gloves. He also made his way into the MMA world, participating in 41 matches and facing legends like Fedor Emelianenko, Rodrigo Nogueira, and Josh Barnett. He defeated a veritable murderer’s row of kickboxing legends such as Peter Aerts, Jerome LeBanner, Badr Hari, Remy Bonjasky, and Ernesto Hoost.

The full extent of Schilt’s condition is not known at this point, only that it has forced to retire from competition effective immediately. If the report does indeed prove to be true, the combat sports world just lost one of its most talented competitors today.