The 2025 Mr. Olympia is in the history books, and one legendary bodybuilder was left perplexed by the outcome. On October 12, 2025, Lee Haney said the results were confusing and called for two classes in the Men\u2019s Open for shorter and taller bodybuilders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the 61st Olympia Weekend, Derek Lunsford<\/a> reigned supreme, having won back his Olympia title after a drop to third place last year. Not only did he outpoint Hadi Choopan<\/a> and Andrew Jacked<\/a>, but he completed his quest to achieve the coveted \u2018Triple Crown.\u2019<\/a> That meant winning the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia in the same year.\u00a0<\/p>\n The top four physiques at the 2025 Mr. Olympia<\/a> looked completely different from each other.\u00a0Shorter bodybuilders Lunsford and Choopan took spots one and two whereas taller athletes, like former champ Samson Dauda<\/a> and Jacked, secured spots in third and fourth. For Haney, he chalked this up to a case of comparing apples and oranges.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bodybuilding Legend Lee Haney Calls For 2 Classes in Men\u2019s Open for Taller & Shorter Competitors After 2025 Mr. Olympia \u00a0<\/p>\n According to Haney\u2019s Instagram post, he believes it\u2019s time for two classes in the Men\u2019s Open, that way judges don\u2019t have to compare completely different body types.<\/p>\n Get Fitter, Faster<\/p>\n Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n Please wait…<\/p>\n You’re In! Let’s Crush Your Fitness Goals Together<\/p>\n Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.<\/p>\n Subscribe Another Email<\/p>\n He adds that competitors at the 2025 Mr. Olympia like Dauda, Jacked, and Behrouz Tabani<\/a> all showcase more balance, while Lunsford, Choopan, and Nick Walker carry more mass per pound of body weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn my personal opinion, there need to be two classes in the Mr. Olympia Open Class. Reason: physiques like Samson, Andrew, and Tabani, exhibits more balance due to their height. Where as Derek, Hadi, and Nick appears to carry more mass per lb.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe results are confusing to say the least along with unparalleled appearances of the results. There\u2019s always room for the emergence of new standards\ud83d\udc4c\ud83c\udffd \u201d Lee Haney said<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Haney\u2019s concept isn\u2019t a novel idea. The IFBB Pro League actually had two size classes in the Men\u2019s Open<\/a> from 1974-1979. They divided it into two groups: lightweights who weighed under 200 pounds, and heavyweights who weighed over 200 pounds. The winner of each would face off for the Sandow trophy. However, that format was discontinued in 1980.\u00a0<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t the first time Lee Haney has called for evolutionary changes atop the Mr. Olympia stage. He recently urged the sport to undergo a \u2018reset,\u2019 harkening back to the golden era where aesthetics, shape, and proportions ruled over sheer mass and grainy conditioning. Due to these concerns, Haney labeled the sport \u2018the most dangerous in the world.\u2019\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Additionally, bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won seven Mr. Olympia titles in his heyday, has aired grievances about the safety of bodybuilding<\/a>. He labeled the sport dangerous too, pointing out that more bodybuilders have passed away compared to athletes competing in mixed martial arts.\u00a0<\/p>\n This has sparked even more debate about whether Classic Physique should take over<\/a> as the number one division in the IFBB Pro League. While some believe the rise of Classic Physique could make the sport more mainstream, there is a faction of hardcore fans that relish the freak factor on display in the Open class.\u00a0<\/p>\n Haney argues that physiques in the Open are different enough that this change would have a positive impact on the sport. Do you agree with Lee Haney\u2019s assessment of the Men\u2019s Open division?\u00a0<\/p>\n RELATED:\u00a0Jay Cutler Talks Lee Haney Saying Bodybuilding Needs a \u2018Reset\u2019 & Athletes Missing 2025 Mr. Olympia<\/a><\/p>\n Relive every moment from the 2025 Mr. Olympia, including prejudging, highlights, expert analysis, and full results. Explore our Olympia hub: FitnessVolt.com\/olympia<\/a>. For minute-by-minute coverage, follow our Live Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n