Tag: 2022 Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan Details Stomach Issues Will Keep Him Out Of Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan recently explained why he pulled out of the 2022 Arnold Classic.
News broke on Monday that Cedric McMillan was the latest to pull his name out of the 2022 Arnold Classic. There was not a reason released but the bodybuilder recently took the time to reveal that stomach issues will keep him off stage.
Milos Sarcev mentioned that McMillan would not appear on stage in Columbus. On Monday, McMillan decided to share a video on Instagram to give an update on his condition.
“Ever since I tried to compete at the Legion show in Nevada back in October. I’ve been having issues with my stomach. I can’t keep food down for some reason. It creates some stupid ass hiccups, I’m hiccupping all day long and for half the night and anytime I eat, or even drinking water. It comes back up, nothing wants to stay down.”
Cedric McMillan has dealt with some issues that has made his path difficult over the last two years. In 2020, McMillan suffered a broken collarbone and broken hand that forced him to miss the Olympia that year. This will be the second year in a row he will miss the Arnold Classic. In September, McMillan withdrew his name before appearing on the broadcast. He revealed that he contracted COVID-19 and this affected his heart.
McMillan continues to explain in his video that he felt the need to explain his situation because of other news being thrown out there. This has caused some messages from people close to him.
“I have been having some issues, for 4-weeks now. I got a couple of phone calls, and text messages from friends saying that they seen on the internet that something was wrong with me. So, of course, if it’s already on the internet, motherfuckers don’t know everything. They talking about what they think they know, what they heard. So I may as well, go on and explain this shit myself.
“Four weeks ago, I went to the doctor again, I’ve been going to the doctor throughout, but they recommended I shouldn’t try to do the show. Of course, I’m being stubborn. If I eat this food, and throw up half of it, at least that’s half. I can keep, you know just being an idiot. I did what they asked and went on a liquid diet. Eating fuckin soup and eating weight gaining shakes.”
Cedric McMillan will be present in Columbus during the Arnold Classic but will not compete. He will be part of the meet and greet for fans. This allows him to still interact with fans even though they will not be able to watch him compete. It will be interesting to see when the bodybuilder is able to make his return to the stage.
Cedric McMillan Will Not Compete At 2022 Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan becomes the latest bodybuilder to withdraw from the Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just over one week away but there continues to be some changes to the Men’s Open lineup. Cedric McMillan has become the latest bodybuilder to pull his name out of the event scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. McMillan was preparing to appear on stage during the Arnold Classic but Milos Sarcev confirmed with Jay Cutler that he will not be ready in time.
McMillan is a former champion of the Arnold Classic in 2017 and was preparing to make a run at bringing back his title. In 2020, McMillan fell a bit placing sixth before he was forced to miss the show last year with an injury. McMillan still made the trip to Columbus in September to appear as part of the broadcast team.
As recently as last week, McMillan was posting former posing routines and fans were looking forward to seeing him on stage once again.
“Way back in 2009, on stage at about 252 (still too big for classic, so dont say that)… they said “stop posing like that, it’s not 1980!” And they said “get bigger!”Thanks to @blackskullusa for finding this, it brought back so many memories ❤”
Cedric McMillan has been dealing with different injuries and issues since the 2020 season. This includes a broken hand and broken collar bone. The injuries continued into 2021 and he was forced to miss the action in Columbus last year. McMillan also had complications with COVID-19 that impacted his heart and forced him to miss a significant amount of time.
McMillan now becomes the fifth competitor to pull his name out of the show dropping the number of athletes to nine.
2021 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (United States)
Brandon Curry (United States)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (United States)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (United States)
Brett Wilkin (United States)
With Cedric McMillan pulling his name out of the competition, this leave nine bodybuilders vying for the Arnold Classic title in Men’s Open. It began when Rafael Brandao withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons. Then, both Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban were forced to pull out due to injuries. Akim Williams was the most recent to withdraw just last week.
After healing from the virus, McMillan returned to the stage during the Legion Sports Pro. McMillan was not part of the first callout and did not return for the finals. He was also scheduled to appear during the Egypt’s KO Pro show but did not make it. The Arnold Classic was supposed to be a return to stage but fans will have to wait a little longer.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Arnold and Logan Paul Announce Slap Fighting at Arnold Sports Festival
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul are getting into slap fighting.
It appears that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul are getting into a slap fight. Well, not against each other. Schwarzenegger and Paul have agreed to put on a slap fighting competition at the upcoming 2022 Arnold Sports Festival.
Well this is certainly an unlikely turn of events. It appears that bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has chosen to spice things up for the Arnold Sports Festival. The festival has become well known for bringing all different kinds of sports to the event. With MMA, strongman, and other sports being highlighted, bringing another kind of event to the show isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
But no one could have been prepared for this.
It appears that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul are bringing slap fighting to the Arnold Sports Festival. Both Schwarzenegger and Paul will be producing the event. Paul will even be live streaming the slap fighting competition on his YouTube channel.
Slap Fighting at the Arnold
The trailer for the event looks pretty intense. One thing is certain, they aren’t pulling any punches…or slaps.
Get ready to watch some brutal slaps March 5th in Columbus, Ohio with me and @loganpaul live and free on Logan’s YouTube and on @fanmio.
This is quite an unexpected turn of events. While seeing strength sports at the Arnold Sports Festival is no surprise, to see a slap fighting competition take center stage is a bit of a shock.
With that said there’s no doubt that intrigue is building for this event and how it play out. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul working together to bring the masses this event is perhaps more shocking than the competition itself.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
2022 Arnold Classic: Men’s Open Preview & Predictions
Here is a breakdown and predictions in the Men’s Open division at the 2021 Olympia.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just two weeks away. It is scheduled to take place on March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. This competition will once again mark the beginning of the bodybuilding season after one year in September due to the pandemic.
The show will be headlined by the big boys competing for the Men’s Open title. There has been some overhaul in the Men’s Open lineup in recent weeks with competitors pulling out due to different reasons. It began when Rafael Brandão pulled his name out of the competition in January. Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban also withdrew with different injuries.
Most recently, it was Akim Williams who reportedly took his name out of the competition. Williams had a chance to finish as a top five competitor but will have to wait to take the stage.
The competition lineup is down to 10 athletes but it is still a stacked group that will put on quite a show. Below, you can find a complete and current list of competitors along with some of the tp to watch during the first weekend in March.
2022 Arnold Classic List Of Competitors
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (USA)
Brandon Curry (USA)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (USA)
Cedric McMillan (USA)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brasil)
Justin Rodriguez (USA)
Brett Wilkin (USA)
Honorable Mentions
Cedric McMillan
Cedric McMillan enters the 2022 Arnold Classic as one of three former champions in the lineup. After not competing at the KO Egypt Pro and missing the finals of the Legion Sports Fest, McMillan could be primed and ready for a big event in Columbus. At 44 years old, McMillan still is a threat because of the pure size of his upper body.
With the recent drop outs, McMillan has a chance to creep into the top four or five of this contest. It would be a bit surprising to see him in the top three but anything is possible. By the looks of his physique updates, McMillan is ready to make a splash on stage.
Justin Rodriguez
Justin Rodriguez has a chance to make that jump into the top three. He finished eighth during the 2021 Olympia and has been impressive over the last year. During his physique updates, Rodriguez has been able to keep weight on but remains shredded with a ton of muscle mass.
The overall conditioning of Rodriguez will keep him in contention and could shot him into the top three. This is still an impressive list despite some recent names dropping out so it will not be an easy task. With that being said, do not be surprised to see Rodriguez up there competing for a high finish when it is all said and done.
Men’s Open Top 3
3. Steve Kuclo
Steve Kuclo went head-to-head with Nick Walker in the first callouts during the Arnold Classic last year. In the finals, he was jumped by Iain Valliere and finished in third place. This year, he has a chance to be in the top three once again.
Kuclo has not won a professional show since 2019 but he continues to show major improvements upon his physique. He has posted updates and features incredible size and vascularity. Recently, Kuclo shared an update performing dumbbell curls and his arms look ready for the stage. He has finished in the top five at the Arnold Classic three times and could be in for his second consecutive top three.
2. William Bonac
William Bonac is another previous winner of the Arnold Classic and it was as recently as 2020. In September, Bonac was unable to defend his title because he could not make it to the event. Bonac had a chance to defeat Walker and make it back-to-back titles. In 2022, he will have a chance to bring it back.
Bonac saw his Olympia finish slip to sixth in October. This has raised some eyebrows and brought his status at the Arnold Classic into question. Bonac remains an elite bodybuilder who shows it all on stage. In this field and on stage at an event he is comfortable in, Bonac could finish as the runner-up.
1. Brandon Curry
Not only is Brandon Curry the third and final Arnold Classic champion, he is the only Olympia champion in the lineup. Curry was Mr. Olympia back in 2019 and has finished as the runner-up in each of the previous two competitions. At the second biggest event of the year, Curry has to be considered the favorite heading into Columbus.
Curry defeated many in this lineup in October at the Olympia. He has continued to progress and make improvements upon a physique that is already championship caliber. Based on his recent success over the last three years, Curry could be ready to make another splash. The Arnold Classic is back in March and there will be one champion who sets the tone for the rest of the season.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Akim Williams Reportedly Out Of 2022 Arnold Classic
Akim Williams has not yet commented on reports of his withdrawal.
Akim Williams is one of the quickest-rising bodybuilders in Men’s Open. He was preparing to compete in his fourth Arnold Classic competition but fans might have to wait until next year. Williams has reportedly taken his name out of the 2022 Arnold Classic, according to multiple outlets.
Williams has not yet made an official statement on his status for the competition. The Arnold Classic is scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus, OH.
Akim Williams has continued to share workout videos on social media but has been short with his captions.
With Williams pulling his name out of the competition, this leave 10 bodybuilders vying for the Arnold Classic title in Men’s Open. It became with Rafael Brandao withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons. Then, both Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban were forced to pull out due to injuries.
2022 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac
Maxx Charles
Brandon Curry
Samson Dauda
Regam Grimes
Steve Kuclo
Cedric McMillan
Fabio Giga Rezende
Justin Rodriguez
Brett Wilkin
It is still a lineup full of big names despite four competitors withdrawing. Curry continues to be one of the favorites to win the event after back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Olympia. McMillan will also make his return to the stage while Kuclo is looking to build off a third-place finish last year. Wilkin is considered a dark-horse to win the show and jumpstart his 2022 campaign.
Akim Williams finished fifth during the 2021 Arnold Classic. During his career, he has won three shows and continues to improve as time goes on. Williams’ first victory came during the 2016 Tampa Pro. In 2020, he was victorious during the 2020 Chicago Pro followed by a win during the 2021 Puerto Rico Pro. He has competed at the Olympia four times, including a sixth place finish in 2020.
After withdrawing from the Arnold Classic, Williams will have to find another way to qualify for the 2022 Olympia. He can do this by winning another show or earning system points. There is still plenty of time as the Arnold Classic typically begins the bodybuilding season.
Fans were looking forward to watching Williams perform in Columbus but they will have to wait a bit longer. It will be interesting to hear the reason for his withdrawal once the bodybuilder makes an official statement.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Nathan De Asha And Mohamed Shaaban To Miss Arnold Classic With Injuries
The roster for the Arnold Classic has taken another hit.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is less than four weeks away and the roster has taken another hit. Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban have announced that they will miss the event with different injuries. Both bodybuilders took to Instagram to make their announcements on Monday.
The Arnold Classic is scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. The event will return to the beginning of the year after being pushed to September in 2021 due to the pandemic. After preparing for the competition, De Asha and Shaaban become the second and third athletes to with draw.
Rafael Brandão made the decision to pull his name out of the Arnold Classic two weeks ago. The field began with 14 competitors and it is now down to 11 as the competition creeps closer.
Nathan De Asha
Nathan De Asha is coming off a strong showing during the 2021 season. This includes three shows and a victory during the Europa Pro Championships. He also finished the year with a win at the 2021 Yamamoto Cup. Heading into 2022, there was plenty of hype surrounding De Asha but that has been put on hold.
De Asha announced that he has suffered a torn bicep and will be forced to miss the Arnold Classic.
“About two-weeks ago I was doing a shoot in the gym. Trained biceps and felt a small pull, and thought, ‘ooh that feels a little bit funny’. A little bit strange. Went with my friends and my family to a center, and then it pulled again, and it just felt a little bit sore, a little bit hard. So, I phoned the doctor, and went to see the doctor on Monday or it was Wednesday. It wasn’t really bruised or nothing, he said to me I had a small tear in the bicep.”
Mohamed Shaaban
Shortly after De Asha, Mohamed Shaaban shared a social media post explaining his current situation. He is suffering from bulging discs in his back that can become herniated if not properly treated. Because of this, Shaaban must pause training and will be unable to compete at the Arnold Classic.
Shaaban believes that this will be fixed and he can return to the stage. In 2021, Shaaban competed four times, including two consecutive second-place finishes. He won silver at the California Pro and Puerto Rico Pro. Shaaban finished his year with a 10th place finish at the Olympia.
“There’s been a few post out there and people messaging me about the Arnold classic ohio.
It’s with deep sadness that I have to inform everyone that I will not be able to compete in the Arnold 2022.
I’ve attached my MRI results, along with my doctors notes/video explaining my results for those that do not understand.
This has been a pain that I’ve dealt with since before the Olympia of last year. I tried my best to push through, but after several doctor visits in Egypt and California, my doctors believes that it is best I sit this out and fully recover or else I won’t able to compete in the future.”
Mohamed Shaaban shared information from his doctor and MRI results. It explained that he has straightening of the cervical spine lordosis along with disc disease in the cervical spine. This is especially hitting the C4-C5 to C6-C7 region.
2022 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (United States)
Brandon Curry (United States)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (United States)
Cedric McMillan (United States)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (United States)
Brett Wilkin (United States)
Akim Williams (United States)
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Terrence Ruffin Continues Arnold Classic Prep With Huge Push Day
Terrence Ruffin is preparing to defend his Classic Physique title at the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just four weeks away and competitors are in the final stretch of their preparation. Terrence Ruffin was victorious in Classic Physique during the 2021 event and will defend his title in Columbus in March. Before he hits the stage, Ruffin has put in the work and showed it off with a recent push day session.
Ruffin completed the workout at his home gym, Westside Barbell, with hypertrophy coach Joe Bennett present. This was a workout to build his check and he used multiple machines and exercises. Ruffin shared the workout to his YouTube page.
Terrence Ruffin began the workout with a warmup of incline bench presses. He sported wrist wraps while competing the sets, increasing the weight each time. Ruffin reached 315 pounds before moving onto seated cable flyes. This is where he really started to get that necessary pump.
“If you can get that cable…to be straight across, that’s your best bet because it’ll be heaviest there.”
Ruffin triple-set cable flyes with more presses on the incline bench and laying Y-raises. This also helped work his shoulders over the course of the workout. During the routine, Bennett continues to discuss the position of the workouts and how it will hit different muscles. When Ruffin was performing triceps extensions, his arm position performs the concentric part of the rep where his arm is at its natural position.
Terrence Ruffin continues to be one of the best competitors in Classic Physique. He was able to get over the hump and take home the 2021 Arnold Classic title after finishing as the runner-up in 2020. At the Olympia, Ruffin finished with the silver medal behind Chris Bumstead, who has won the last three Classic Physique Olympia titles.
Classic Physique has taken huge strides recently and it is because of athletes like Ruffin. At the Arnold Classic, four of the top-five finishers from the Olympia will be present. Ruffin leads the way, along with Breon Ansley, Urs Kalecinski, and Ramon Rocha Queiroz.
The Arnold Classic will begin what is bound to be an exciting year in Classic Physique. Terrence Ruffin has been preparing to retain his title and will have a chance to end Bumstead’s reign at the Olympia in December.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Cedric McMillan Provides Physique Update 5.5 Weeks Out Of 2022 Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan looks ready for his appearance in Columbus during the 2022 Arnold Classic.
Cedric McMillan has been active on social media since the start of 2022. He has been working hard to get back on stage and is set to appear at the 2022 Arnold Classic in Columbus. The event is scheduled to take place from March 3-6 and will feature some of the top names in bodybuilding. McMillan is on that list and has provided another physique update just over five weeks out from the show.
The update was shared to the Black Skull Instagram page. McMillan is seen going through poses and showing off the progress he has made to this point. In the caption of the video, it is confirmed that McMillan currently weighs 282 pounds.
“Exclusive Cedric progress!
282 lbs”
It has been a busy offseason for McMillan. It began when he contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized. He lost nearly 30 pounds from the virus but has made significant strides in putting that weight and muscle back on. He defeated the virus and returned to the stage during the Legion Sports Pro. McMillan was not part of the first callout and did not return for the finals.
Cedric McMillan was also scheduled to appear during the Egypt’s KO Pro show but did not make it. He is now expected to take the stage at the Arnold Classic and will do what it takes to be there. McMillan missed the 2021 show in September with an injury. He was present in Columbus but was part of the broadcast team instead of competing on stage. Now, he will have a chance to return to competing against some of the best in the world.
2022 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (USA)
Brandon Curry (USA)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (USA)
Cedric McMillan (USA)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brasil)
Justin Rodriguez (USA)
Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt)
Brett Wilkin (USA)
Akim Williams (USA)
Rafael Brandão was scheduled to appear but recently withdrew from the competition. Fans were excited to see him take part in one of the biggest shows of the year. The same can be said about McMillan. He is always a fan favorite and will have a chance to show what he can do.
If his physique updates are any indication, it looks as though Cedric McMillan will be ready for the first week of March.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Rafael Brandão Withdraws From 2022 Arnold Classic
Rafael Brandão will not be present during the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is set for March 3-6 in Columbus. The lineup is stacked in each division with Men’s Open being the highlight once again. That lineup recently took a hit with Rafael Brandão reportedly pulling his name out of the competition.
Many news outlets have reported that representatives from the Arnold Classic have confirmed Brandão’s exit. Generation Iron has reached out directly and is still waiting for confirmation. Brandão has not made an official statement himself. It is unknown if there will be a replacement for Brandão. If not, the field will be set with 13 competitors.
2022 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (United States)
Brandon Curry (United States)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom
Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (United States)
Cedric McMillan (United States)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (United States)
Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt)
Brett Wilkin (United States)
Akim Williams (United States)
Rafael Brandão has been one of the up-and-coming names in bodybuilding. He has built a massive social media following and fans were looking forward to seeing what he could do during the 2022 season.
Brandão made his debut in 2017 when he took part in the San Marino Pro in Italy. He took home eighth place during this show. This would setup what would be a successful run in 2018. Brandão finished third at the California State Championships before being a top-five finisher during the Toronto Pro Supershow.
Brandão made his Arnold Classic debut in 2019, when he finished seventh. This was when the world got to see his physique against some of the top in the world. He went onto place second at the Arnold South America that same year. Last year, Brandão took home the prize during the Romania Muscle Fest Pro.
The bodybuilding world will have to wait a bit longer to see what Rafael Brandão has to offer this year. He will now have to focus on making his way to the Olympia stage in December in Las Vegas. Either way, this is a disappointment but the Arnold Classic is still set to be an incredible show.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Breon Ansley Shares Back Workout To Build Thicker Lats Ahead Of 2022 Arnold Classic
Breon Ansley has targeted his lats as a potential area of improvement heading into the season.
Breon Ansley is looking to begin the 2022 season with a bang. He has been working in the offseason to improve some parts of his physique and there has been a huge focus on his back. Ansley recently shared a back workout that focuses on stretching his lats to add thickness. This is his goal as he prepares to take the stage at the 2022 Arnold Classic.
Ansley has been sharing many workouts in recent weeks. He began an entire series on his prep for the Arnold Classic on his YouTube page. Last week, Ansley released the fourth episode of this series and it focused on building up his lats.
Breon Ansley is a two-time Classic Physique Olympia champion. He is still one of the top-tier competitors in the division today. Ansley finished third at the 2021 Olympia behind Chris Bumstead and Terrence Ruffin. Bumstead completed his three-peat in October and is looking to make it four in a row in December. Ruffin will defend his Arnold Classic title after winning the event in September.
Ansley will make sure to show up in his best shape. He began this session by going through a mobility warm-up that emphasizes scapular control and stretching his lats. This sets the tone for a big workout.
The first exercise of the day is a superset. Ansley pairs bent-over rows with a variation of a rack pull. During this set, Ansley stresses the importance of keeping his core engaged.
“Don’t loosen your core. It’s going to loosen your back — that’s how you’re going to pull your back. Keep core tight.”
Breon Ansley completes single-arm seated rows. He adds a new element to the exercise by reaching as far as he can while the weight is lowered. This is done to continue that stretch in his lats that provides the extra boost in size. Ansley then moves onto a triple set. This features seated rows, low cable rows, and paused face pulls. The final exercise of the workout is underhanded seated rows.
After the workout, Ansley was satisfied with the work he put in. He will certainly be one of the top names at the Arnold Classic and has a chance to take home the prize in Classic Physique. It will be another stacked lineup but that is what makes for an exciting and entertaining show.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.