Lee Haney Calls for Two Divisions in Men’s Open After 2025 Mr. Olympia Results Confuse Fans and Judges

[MuscleMecca Crew]

Lee Haney Challenges IFBB to Reconsider the Men’s Open Format​

Eight-time Mr. Olympia champion Lee Haney has reignited debate across the bodybuilding world following the 2025 Mr. Olympia. Haney believes it’s time to divide the Men’s Open into two separate classes—one for shorter and one for taller athletes—arguing that current judging standards make comparisons unfair.

2025 Mr. Olympia Results Spark Controversy​

The 61st Mr. Olympia, held October 12 in Las Vegas, showcased some of the sport’s most diverse physiques. Derek Lunsford reclaimed his title, defeating Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, and Andrew Jacked to secure bodybuilding’s coveted Triple Crown—winning the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia in the same season.

But for many observers, including Haney, the outcome seemed unclear. The top four physiques were vastly different:

• Derek Lunsford – shorter, compact, dense muscle
• Hadi Choopan – shorter, ultra-conditioned
• Samson Dauda – tall, balanced symmetry
• Andrew Jacked – tall, aesthetic flow

Haney described the results as “comparing apples and oranges,” questioning how such contrasting builds can be judged under one set of criteria.

Haney’s Proposal: Two Classes for Fairer Judging​

Posting to Instagram, Haney argued for two Open divisions to preserve fairness and consistency. He highlighted that taller athletes such as Dauda, Jacked, and Behrouz Tabani present more balanced proportions, while shorter athletes like Lunsford, Choopan, and Nick Walker showcase extreme mass density.

“In my opinion, there need to be two classes in the Mr. Olympia Open. Samson, Andrew, and Tabani show more balance due to their height, whereas Derek, Hadi, and Nick carry more mass per pound. The results are confusing, to say the least,” Haney said.

Haney’s idea isn’t unprecedented. Between 1974 and 1979, the IFBB split the Open into lightweight (under 200 lbs) and heavyweight (over 200 lbs) categories, with both winners battling for the Sandow Trophy. The federation later dropped this system in 1980.

A Return to Aesthetics and Health​

Haney, known for his balance of size and shape during the 1980s, has repeatedly pushed for a “reset” in bodybuilding. He warns that the pursuit of extreme mass has made the sport dangerous and unsustainable.

His critique echoes sentiments from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has also labeled modern bodybuilding unsafe, citing more athlete deaths than in combat sports like MMA. Both legends believe the emphasis should shift back to aesthetics, proportion, and longevity.

Classic Physique’s Rising Influence​

The surge of the Classic Physique division further fuels this debate. Many fans see it as a return to the golden-era ideal—smaller waists, cleaner lines, and less stress on the body. Some believe Classic could eventually overtake the Men’s Open as bodybuilding’s flagship class, though hardcore fans still value the freak factor of massive physiques.

Haney’s suggestion could mark the next stage in this evolution—allowing both extremes of the sport to shine on their own terms.

Potential Impact on Future Olympias​

If adopted, a split in the Men’s Open could:

• Improve judging transparency
• Reduce controversy over size vs. symmetry
• Offer equal recognition for different physiques
• Inspire new standards across the IFBB Pro League

Haney’s proposal opens a real conversation about how bodybuilding should be judged in the modern era—and whether the sport needs to return to balance before it loses its identity.