Masters Olympia Controversy – Did Phil Get Screwed or Was It Fair?

[rxmuscle]

This week’s After Hours LIVE (8/26/25) dove headfirst into the growing Masters Olympia drama. The debate centers on Phil Clahar vs. Dorian Haywood, where Phil led after prejudging but Dorian took the title at finals.

Phil and his supporters believe the show was rigged, claiming it was mathematically impossible for him to lose. Dave Palumbo and the crew pushed back, pointing out the scores do add up—and that Jim Manion isn’t making midnight phone calls to sway results in a Masters show.

Bob Cicherillo tried to “clear things up” with a video explaining judging, but the panel agreed he only poured fuel on the fire. Troll accounts, Discord groups, and anti-IFBB voices latched onto the controversy, even pushing petitions to get Bob removed as Olympia MC.

The crew’s take:

• Phil looked great from the front and side, but Dorian’s back shots sealed it.
• Judging changes between prejudging and finals happen all the time. It’s two separate rounds, not a conspiracy.
• Politics are real at local shows, but at big pro contests the judging is usually clean.
• Money matters. With only \$25k for first place, top names didn’t even bother showing up. If promoters want credibility, they need deeper prize money and better lineups.

Bottom line? Phil’s upset about losing 10k, Bob made it worse by defending too loudly, and trolls are milking the drama. But as Dave put it: “No one’s fixing a Masters Olympia for guys over 50. It was close, but Dorian deserved the win from the back.”

Now the real focus shifts: seven weeks out from the Olympia, plus North Americans and Italy shows coming up. The Masters controversy? Time to move on.