Bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates has never been shy about saying what he thinks — and his latest comments about the state of modern physiques have set off a new wave of debate across the sport.
In a recent clip shared online, the six-time Mr. Olympia champion argued that the physiques seen on stage today don’t represent the “ultimate male physique” — a statement that quickly caught the attention of reigning Olympia winner Derek Lunsford.
During an appearance shared by Who Is The Best BB, Yates reflected on what he considers the true standard of bodybuilding greatness, pointing to names like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lee Haney as prime examples.
“This is the best male physique in the world, six-foot-four, with wide shoulders and a small waist. You look at Arnold or Lee Haney. Wow, I get it. That’s the ultimate male physique,” Yates began.
However, Yates – who dominated the 1990s with six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1992 to 1997 – believes that today’s top competitors have drifted too far from that balance of height, proportion, and symmetry. In fact, Yates would go as far as to compare modern-day Olympia winners to “a fridge”.
“But if you talk about the guys that are Mr. Olympia now and you show that to members of the public and tell them that’s the ultimate male physique, well, hold on, he’s only like five-foot-four or something, isn’t he? He’s like a fridge,” says Yates, before asking: “How is that possible?”
His remarks immediately sparked conversation online, with many fans and athletes weighing in.
“100%,” one person wrote in the comments, with another commenter typing: “Lol he is spot on”. A third wrote: “Couldn’t agree more”.
But the Yates’ comments soon reached Lunsford himself, who reclaimed his Mr. Olympia title in 2025 by defeating Hadi Choopan and Andrew Jacked.
Taking to Instagram, Lunsford responded directly to Yates’ comments with a passionate defense of the current generation, writing: “@thedorianyates is GREAT. But this is a NEW era that has taken bodybuilding to a NEW LEVEL. We can respect the greats from the past, but this RIGHT NOW is the GREATEST moment in BODYBUILDING HISTORY.”
The reigning champion’s words reflect a belief shared by many modern athletes — that today’s sport has evolved both technically and physically, demanding new levels of precision and performance. For context, Lunsford’s 2025 Olympia win capped off a remarkable run that included victories at the Arnold Classic and the Pittsburgh Pro, completing what he called bodybuilding’s “trifecta.”
But Lunsford’s victory on the Olympia stage certainly came with criticism.
Other bodybuilding veterans, such as Lee Priest, have echoed similar views to Yates. Priest previously said he had Andrew Jacked or Hadi Choopan winning the 2025 Mr. Olympia, and even criticised Lunsford’s condition by describing him as a “waterlogged beached whale.”
Despite their differing opinions, both Yates and Lunsford have carved their legacies into the sport’s history. And if this latest exchange proves anything, it’s that the conversation over what defines the “ultimate male physique” is far from over.
For now, Yates stands firm on tradition, while Lunsford champions progress.
But what do you think about Yates’ criticism? Let us know in the comments section.
Featured image credit: Instagram/whoisthebestbb/dereklunsford (screenshot)
