Tag: nEWS
Tito Ortiz Answers: Who Is The Greatest Bodybuilder Of All Time?
Tito Ortiz reveals his involvement and passion for bodybuilding, how it’s poised for a big comeback, and makes his pick for greatest bodybuilder of all time.
While Tito Ortiz is first and foremost a top tier MMA fighter, he has a deep respect, passion, and involvement with the sport of bodybuilding. Bodybuilding was the initial foundation that led Ortiz towards MMA in the first place – though he didn’t even know it was called bodybuilding at the time. He just wanted to get big. And he still holds a fire in his heart for the athletes in bodybuilding who keep pursuing that dream. So what does he think of the current state of the sport? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Tito Ortiz explains why he thinks bodybuilding is going to make a big comeback and also makes his pick on who is the greatest bodybuilder in history.
Tito Ortiz might not hold a mass monster physique, but his love and passion for getting big has been with him since he was a teenage. It’s what ultimately led him towards mixed martial arts – a path that would take him towards being one of the top fighters in MMA. Even though his life became about MMA, he never left bodybuilding behind. Ortiz currently works with a consulting firm for bodybuilding where he helps young bodybuilders learn how to market themselves. An important part of any sport to bring more eyeballs on the competitions and thus bring more mainstream attention (and cash) to an athlete or league.
Tito Ortiz is a man who keeps watch on the bodybuilding world just as much as he focuses on his MMA career. Given that level of passion for bodybuilding, what does he think of the current state of the sport? Many have expressed that the quality of physiques is going downhill compared to decades past. Does Ortiz agree? He couldn’t think that it’s farther from the truth and he points more towards statistics to prove his point.
Tito Ortiz actually believes that bodybuilding is in the process of making a comeback (which of course implies that he at least thinks at some point it went downhill). He points towards how the Olympia and many other major competitions grow in size every year. Perhaps people verbally complain about the physiques being lower quality – but the attendance seems to argue the opposite. Or perhaps, that the change is minuscule compared to how many people find the sport as whole entertaining to watch.
Perhaps the fans arguing for a chance is a part of the beginning for some sort of comeback. With the introduction of the Classic Physique division a few years ago and its continued success – we might just be too close to the action to realize a long term progression that signals bodybuilding will be bigger than ever in the coming decade.
We decided to end off our conversation with Tito Ortiz about bodybuilding by rewinding and looking to the past. Who was the greatest bodybuilder in the history of the sport? Tito Ortiz jumps right over usual picks such as Ronnie Coleman or Lee Haney – and goes for the old school original choice. Ortiz thinks Arnold Schwarzenegger is the greatest of all time. This is when you consider the big picture of everything he accomplished. He is arguable the only bonafide bodybuilding mainstream celebrity. That kind of success legitimized the sport and put it into the spotlight. And to Ortiz, that makes him the greatest of all time.
You can watch Tito Ortiz’s full comments on bodybuilding in or latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Tito Ortiz: The Top 3 Best & Worst Moments Of His MMA Career
Tito Ortiz looks back at both the biggest highs and lowest lows of MMA fighting career.
Life is full of highs and lows. Not surprisingly, the bigger risk you take the bigger the reward. It doesn’t come without a few blemishes upon looking back. These kinds of risks are necessary for pro athletes who want to become the best. This holds true for Tito Ortiz. You don’t become a champion MMA fighter without making a few mistakes along the way. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Tito Ortiz breaks down the top three best and worst moments of his MMA fighting career.
While Tito Ortiz isn’t done fighting just yet, he has lived a full and exciting life as a MMA fighter. That’s why we asked him to look back at his full career and recount the highest highs and the lowest lows of his career. You can’t have the highs without the lows. And for pro athletes, failures often lead to learning and experience. They help build a competitor into the champion they will one day become.
So it seems fitting that Tito Ortiz starts off by listing his failures. He mentions this is to end on a high note but one can’t help but think it’s also because the lows truly do teach us how to become more successful. As we bounce back and learn from hindsight – we become stronger as a result.
For Ortiz, the lows truly hit hard. He mentions losing his title to Randy Couture, wearing a t-shirt that stated, “Dana’s my bitch,” and most painful of all – being accused of physical assault against his former girlfriend. Eventually the accusation was recanted – but the firestorm the indecent brought upon him and his family was a fight that no amount of MMA training could prepare him for.
And family is a big word for Tito Ortiz – as it ends up taking two whole picks for his greatest moments in his MMA career. Ortiz starts by describing the high of becoming a champion. This is a moment one certainly saw coming on his list of top 3 best career highs. He followed it up with the birth of his fist son and his final pick of the life he was able to give his children. To Ortiz, seeing his family provided for through his passion of fighting is a gift no championship title can overcome.
You can watch Tito Ortiz go into detail about his darkest low moments and his powerful high moments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
*Header image courtesy of Instagram
Lee Haney: Evander Holyfield Claims He Will Not Comeback To Fight Mike Tyson
Evander Holyfield told Lee Haney he doesn’t plan on fighting Mike Tyson… but is it true?
While Lee Haney is best known as a world record holding 8x Mr. Olympia champion, he also spent some time training boxing legend Evander Holyfield. In fact, he still occasionally keeps up with Holyfield to this day. As rumors continue to swirl about Mike Tyson fighting Holyfield in a future bout – we wanted to know if Haney could provide any clarity on the situation. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Lee Haney talks about training Evander Holyfield and the unlikely chance he will fight Mike Tyson.
Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson are two legendary boxers in their own right. So it’s no surprise that excitement grew once rumors released claiming that these two icons of the sport might potentially face off in the ring. As of this writing, there has been no confirmation that this match will happen.
That doesn’t mean that Mike Tyson hasn’t been teasing the fans a bit. In a recent interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Tyson alluded to the rumored fight being still very much a possibility. “[Holyfield is] on the table, but I guess the people wanted Roy,” said Tyson during the interview.
Roy of course is reference to Mike Tyson’s recent national press tour as he promotes his exhibition match versus Roy Jones Jr. on Triller pay per view.
But while Tyson claims that fighting Evander Holyfield is on the table, Lee Haney has words that paint a different picture. Haney was a personal trainer for Evander Holyfield during a period where the boxer was trying to put on more pounds of muscle. Haney has remained in occasional contact with Holyfield ever since.
Once rumors grew about Mike Tyson facing off against Evander Holyfield, Lee Haney reached out to Holyfield in an attempt to get confirmation. Holyfield quickly denied the fight, saying he had nothing to do with it.
Of course, Lee Haney also admits that perhaps Holyfield is working in secret in order to keep an element of surprise. Perhaps this rumored fight is such a high profile occasion that Holyfield is keeping his cards close to the chest until the right moment.
Lee Haney also goes into detail about his time training Evander Holyfield and shares some interesting anecdotes from a very different time in both the sport of boxing and bodybuilding.
You can watch Lee Haney’s full comments on Evander Holyfield in the GI Exclusive interview segment above!
*Image courtesy of John Kloepper and Steve Lott. Changes made to combine header image. CC BY-SA 3.0
Powerhouse Pro Bikini Classic 2021 Results
Lauralie Chapados wins Bikini at the Powerhouse Pro Bikini Classic 2021.
The Powerhouse Pro Bikini Classic 2021 took place on Saturday in Ypsilanti, MI. This was another chance for some of the top Bikini competitors in the sport to gain qualification to the 2021 Olympia. In the end, it was Lauralie Chapados who was able to take home yet another victory.
This is not the first victory for Chapados this year. She finished first in Bikini in the 2021 Chicago Pro back in July. In August, Chapados placed fourth in the 2021 Tampa Pro. Now, she picked up yet another victory and is continuing to gain momentum heading toward the biggest competition of the year.
There were two divisions in this competition with winners gaining qualification to the 2021 Olympia. The full results have been announced and can be seen below.
Pro Bikini Classic 2021: All Division Winners
Bikini: Lauralie Chapados
Bikini Masters 40+: Angela Ruscili
Pro Bikini Classic 2021 Results
Bikini
First Place – Lauralie Chapados
Second Place – Lucia Malavaze
Third Place – Reijuana Harley
Fourth Place – Vania Auguste
Fifth Place – Lauren Adams
Sixth Place – Maia Gordon
Bikini Masters 40+
First Place – Angela Ruscili
Second Place – Pamela John
Third Place – Shonte Turner
Fourth Place – Cynthia Joyner
Official Score Cards
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the Powerhouse Pro Bikini Classic 2021. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
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.
WATCH: Vitor Belfort TKOs Holyfield, Anderson Silva KOs Ortiz
Evander Holyfield vs Vitor Belfort, Anderson Silva vs Tito Ortiz Results
Legends Evander Holyfield, Vitor Belfort, Anderson Silva, and Tito Ortiz all took to the boxing ring tonight to prove they still got it. But how did they fair in their bouts tonight?
Legends of combat sports have decided to dust off the gloves and make a return to the ring. From MMA to boxing legends, names like Vitor Belfort, Evander Holyfield, Tito Ortiz, and Anderson Silva. These legends squared off as under the Triller Fight Club brand.
The event was to be headlined by Vitor Belfort vs Oscar De La Hoya. Unfortunately, De La Hoya contracted the oh so pesky and contagious virus sweeping the globe. Now famed boxing legend and heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has stepped up to the plate to battle former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort.
So who the won the bouts of these legends?
Evander Holyfield vs Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort defeats Evander Holyfield in the first round by TKO. Calls out Jake Paul.
Anderson Silva vs Tito Ortiz
Former UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva defeated Tito Ortiz by knockout in round one.
Did you tune in to the fights tonight?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
2021 Rising Phoenix & Arizona Pro Results
Here are the full results from the 2021 Arizona Pro.
The 2021 Rising Phoenix & Arizona Pro took place over the weekend at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. This was another chance for some of the top competitors to qualify for the 2021 Olympia.
The Arizona Pro was made up of some of the top women competitors gathering to put on an incredible show. In the end, there was plenty to watch and admire in an elite competition.
There were a total of eight divisions at the event with all winners gaining qualification to the biggest competition of the year. The results are beginning to be announced and will be updated as they come out. Here are the winners from the 2021 Arizona Pro.
2021 Arizona Pro: All Division Winners
Women’s Bodybuilding:
Women’s Physique: Melissa Teich
Figure:
Wellness:
Bikini:
Fitness:
Women’s Bikini Masters:
Women’s Figure Masters:
2021 Arizona Pro Breakdown
Women’s Bodybuilding
Results coming soon
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Sixth Place
Women’s Physique
First Place – Melissa Teich
Second Place – Tomefafa Ameko
Third Place – Jodi Lyons
Fourth Place – Alexis Sullivan
Fifth Place – Katherine Hall
Sixth Place – Maria Liberman
Figure
Results coming soon
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Wellness
Results coming soon
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Bikini
Results coming soon
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Fitness
Results coming soon
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Second Place –
Third Place –
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Women’s Bikini Masters
Results coming soon
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Women’s Figure Masters
Results coming soon
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Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the 2021 Arizona Pro. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
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.
50 Cent Joins Triller Coverage Calling Holyfield Vs. Belfort
50 Cent joins a long list of star names set to comment on the Holyfield Vs. Belfort fight.
The Holyfield vs Belfort match was already set to be a massive moment in boxing history in and of itself. But now the amount of star power entering the broadcast commentary. Triller had already announced Donald Trump will be providing his own commentary for the event. It now seems that 50 Cent will also be providing color commentary calling Holyfield vs Belfort.
As reported by TMZ, 50 Cent will be joining coverage for the big event. But before you get excited about the idea of 50 Cent and Donald Trump side by side – the hip hop star will be on a different broadcast than the former President of the United States. According to TMZ’s sources, 50 Cent will be filling in for Snoop Dogg’s usual color commentary role.
While some fans may miss the often funny commentary from Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent is also a huge boxing fan known for his strong comments and antics. So we can expect the broadcast to also be entertaining and memorable for this big face off.
Even though Donald Trump won’t be sitting next to 50 Cent for commentary – the former POTUS won’t be alone on his broadcast. He will be side by side with UFC star Jorge Masvidal and Donald Trump Jr. It should be noted that Masvidal had previously been on the campaign train supporting Trump in Florida during the lead up to the election.
Alongside Donald Trump, Don Jr., and Masvidal – longtime play-by-play commentator Todd Grisham will also be providing analysis for the match.Ultimately, it seems that fans will not have a lack of options for the Holyfield vs Belfort boxing match. Whether or not you listen to 50 Cent’s possibly fun broadcast or choose to see what Donald Trump has in store will be a tough call. One thing is certainly sure – neither of these two commentators will be short for words during the proceedings.
Originally, Vitor Belfort was set to face off against Oscar De La Hoya. But due to La Hoya receiving a sudden COVID-19 diagnosis, Holyfield, who was already preparing for an upcoming bout, stepped in last minute to fight the MMA star.
When it was originally De La Hoya vs Belfort, it was already a controversial fight. La Hoya, one of the most popular boxers of the last three decades, is 48 years old. Belfort, the once-dangerous UFC light heavyweight champion, is now 44. But now that the fight has shifted to Evander Holyfield – the match has become even more shocking. Holyfield, one of the best 10 heavyweight champions in the history of boxing, is 58 years old – and hasn’t had a real fight in over 10 years.
Needless to say, the fight will be an interesting one and something that will be remembered for the history books. It will all unfold later tonight – we can’t wait to see what the ultimate outcome is.
Talking Huge | EP 13: Craig Golias & Vlad Yudin Debate Ronnie Coleman’s Shocking Comments
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Craig Golias shares his thoughts on Ronnie Coleman’s recent bold comments asking for diuretics to be banned from competitive bodybuilding.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias debates with Vlad Yudin about Ronnie Colemans call to ban diuretics in bodybuilding, tips to be a successful bodybuilder, and the importance of genetics.
Craig Golias has had a busy week. He has been remodeling his home and showing off the transformation on social media while also keeping tabs on the latest news in bodybuilding. The biggest news came in the form of the legendary Ronnie Coleman. In a recent interview, he bluntly claimed that diuretics kill bodybuilders and they should be drug tested and banned from the sport. Craig Golias shares his gut reactions to Ronnie’s comments. He also shares the advice he gives his new clients who want to be bodybuilders. And comments on how important genetics are to succeed in the sport.
Ronnie Coleman Calls For A Ban Of Diuretics – Is He Right?
After some a truly tragic string of deaths in the bodybuilding world, many have been speaking out about the unhealthy side of the sport. Let’s be clear up front – there has been no definitive connection between many of the too soon bodybuilder deaths as of late. Many were coincidence. But despite that – many are opening up about certain dangerous tactics athletes make to be perfect on stage.
One such tactic is the use of diuretics to be as lean and conditioned as possible on the day of a competition. Ronnie Coleman recently spoke out in an interview calling for the drug to be banned and tested in competition. Ronnie claims that it can cause deaths in bodybuilding that could have been avoided. During our latest Talking Huge conversation, we asked Craig Golias his thoughts on the matter.
Craig Golias believes that Ronnie Coleman is right. Diuretics are a very dangerous supplement that can quickly become dangerous. In a vacuum and when used correctly, diuretics cause little issue. But bodybuilders are often using many other supplements and under a unique kind of diet. This case cause accidental “overdoses” and deeply dangerous outcomes. It’s something that bodybuilders have spoken out about before on our network.
Craig Golias understands this and agrees whole heartedly with Ronnie Coleman. But he’s also cynical about a change really happening. Ultimately, he thinks nothing will change. That athletes will always do whatever they can to be the best – and take those risks.
Advice For Aspiring Bodybuilders & The Importance Of Genetics
Craig Golias also talks in depth about the kind of advice he gives clients who are just starting their bodybuilding journey. The number one tip he can give is less functional and more mental. The person needs to truly have a passion for bodybuilding and fitness. Bodybuilding is more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle. To become a bodybuilder is a 24/7 endeavor. If you’re not completely in love with bodybuilding – it will eventually wear you out. If that happens – you won’t succeed in the long run.
Sadly, Craig Golias also admits that genetics do matter. Some people may be in love with bodybuilding but have awful genetics. They can still succeed a lot – but they might not ever be able to earn something like an Olympia title. We asked Craig Golias if he could know in advance if someone has bad genetics before they start bodybuilding. He answered that it’s hard to predict. Unfortunately you can only know once you start putting yourself through the work.
Wrap Up
There are far more topics discussed in this episode than we can cover in this article. Craig Golias also talks about his recent renovations to his house, a blood test health challenge he is currently undergoing with Tony Huge, and more! You can check it all out in the latest episode of Talking Huge above! Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Larry Wheels Sets New Personal Best With 950lb Squat
Larry Wheels squats an incredible 950lbs!
Larry Wheels is at it again. The Strength Wars star once again proved why he’s one of the most heralded lifters on the planet. This time Larry hit a new personal best, squatting an absolutely insane 950lbs!
There are few humans on this planet that can be considered superhuman. These athletes are able to achieve such incredible feats that it boggles the mind. Larry Wheels has clearly become one of those athletes.
With exploits in a number of different strength sports, Larry Wheels has always looked to enter himself. He has conquered powerlifting, has competed in bodybuilding and strongman, battled in arm wrestling, all of which require their own unique skills, abilities, and expertise. Clearly he is one of the most accomplished strength athletes out there.
That said, Larry Wheels has yet to achieve everything he’s been seeking. What he is seeking he may never actually achieve. For Larry his goal is clearly to always outdo himself and become stronger and stronger overtime. At least that’s how it could be perceived. In reality, the man simply wants to become the best version of himself as a strength athlete.
He may have well outdid himself with his most recent feat in the gym. As said before Larry Wheels is always looking to perform at the true heights of his potential. That means constantly pushing the limits of his training. As such, Larry just accomplished a feat that very few humans have been able to.
Larry Wheels just joined the over 950 club in the squat.
New Personal Best!
That’s right, Larry Wheels just hit a new personal best squat, putting up an astonishing 950lbs. It’s a feat only the best of the best can achieve and Larry is no doubt among their number. Take a look at the video below where he once again outdoes himself.
Heaviest squat of my life ?(Watch full video to see second angle with weights)950lbs at the top with chainsAlmost got folded in half on the second rep.
What do you think of Larry Wheels and his insane strength?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
Guy Cisternino Full Interview | Gym Rant, Training With Branch Warren, & More
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Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Guy Cisternino
Guy Cisternino is a former Men’s 212 bodybuilder who recently announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding in 2021. He was known for his old school hardcore training techniques, his blunt honesty about topics in the sport, and holding an incredible physique. He was also the subject of a viral online controversy when he was caught on camera aggressively yelling at other lifters in the gym.
That’s why we originally connected with Guy Cisternino, for him to share his side of the viral video and talk about gym etiquette in the social media age of bodybuilding and lifting. We also went over his bodybuilding career and his thoughts on the future of the sport.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Guy Cisternino. This uncut full length interview includes topics such as training with Branch Warren, lifting heavy weight vs light weight, and how social media has affected bodybuilding – among other topics.
Listen To Our Guy Cisternino Interview On The Generation Iron Podcast
Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form! Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid, full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding, fitness, combat, and strength sports.
Listen to the full Guy Cisternino interview here:
Guy Cisternino breaks down in detail the gym argument video that went viral.
Guy Cisternino starts out explaining that he believes the video was blown too far out of proportion. He acknowledges that the video cuts off early. Due to that the audience imagination ran rampant. Without context, the video could be seen as an aggressive move on Cisternino’s part. Or it can be seen as an understandable mishap. That’s why he wants to give further context on the moment in question.
Guy Cisternino goes on to explain that the men he argued with in the video were originally much closer than they appeared. Since they were off camera for majority of the clip, we only see them after they have slowly stepped away. This contributed to the criticisms when people watched the video.
Furthermore, Guy Cisternino points out that he asks them give him some space twice before he jumped off the machine. While he wasn’t 100% politely speaking to them – it was also mid set. He was under physical pressure and pushing his body while also trying to ask them to give him more space. They quickly got defensive and then Cisternino lost his cool.
Guy Cisternino goes on to say that he was also filming on behalf of the gym. He argues that he was working. And even if it wasn’t on behalf of the gym, a pro bodybuilder training is doing their job. Not everyone knows this. And how could they? But the fact still remains valid.
Ultimately, while Guy Cisternino defends his actions he also understands that he’s not a perfect person. He doesn’t think the video deserved such scrutiny. At the same time, he did lose his temper and he acknowledges that.
Guy Cisternino: Branch Warren Still Trains Today Harder Than 90% Of Pro Bodybuilders
Branch Warren no longer competes and has been retired for quite some time. That being said, he still maintains his massive physique and enjoys training in the gym. Not only that, but Branch still goes full hardcore on his sets even in retirement.
Guy Cisternino recounts how he just met up with Branch Warren recently for a training session. What was most refreshing to Cisternino is that Branch still trained like a beast. He has no reason to anymore other than personal enjoyment of the intensity of lifting. It’s a feeling that Cisternino can relate to.
Not only that, but he believes that Branch Warren trains harder than most pros today. It’s a bold claim – but one that we wouldn’t doubt. Branch Warren often received criticism for training too hardcore. That he would bring himself too big a risk of injury and ruin his career. Perhaps it’s that kind of risk taking that Guy Cisternino misses in the modern crop of bodybuilders.
Wrap Up
We discuss many more topics with Guy Cisternino than what can be fully covered in this article. That’s why you should check out the full GI Exclusive interview above! We discuss far many more topics including lifting heavy vs lifting light weight, how social media affects bodybuilding today, and more!