Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest is still being asked about how he’d fare against the best in today’s landscape. On January 28, 2025, he revealed that if he returned to the sport he’d compete in the Men’s Open division and predicted he would land ‘somewhere in the top 10.’
Recently, talks about Lee Priest‘s return to bodybuilding have intensified. He turned heads within the bodybuilding community after renewing his Pro card for the 2025 bodybuilding season. Some speculated that he reinstated his status to prevent it from being revoked under the IFBB Pro League’s new ruling, while others suggested he might be considering a comeback.
Priest is 52 years old but has maintained his physique in retirement. He left the stage on top too, having claimed three consecutive victories before ultimately stepping away from the spotlight. He claimed gold at the 2006 NOC New York and the PDI Night of Champions before sailing off into the sunset with a title-winning performance at the 2013 NABBA Mr. Universe contest.
Lee Priest Reflects on Defeating Ronnie Coleman 7x, Discusses How He’d Stack Up in Today’s Men’s Open Class
In a recent Instagram post, Priest revealed that he defeated Ronnie Coleman a total of seven times throughout his career.
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“Seven but he says five. We’ll leave it that so we don’t upset him,” shared Priest.
If Priest had to choose a division to return to, he’d pick the Men’s Open. As for how he’d do, Priest is confident he’d place ‘somewhere in the top 10’ against the best.
“Open. I’d probably go Open. How would I do? I’d probably do okay if I was like I was back then because Clarida has done pretty well in the Open.
He beat Regan and Sergio Jr. that time so and then I see like the Dereks and those other short guys, William Bonac, so I’d say where I’d place, somewhere in the top 10, somewhere probably.”
He adds that if he competed in today’s landscape, he would have likely had to alter his training methods.
“But then too, I’d probably train differently too because it’s different competition. You always train to be the best no matter who you are up against. I’d probably do okay maybe at some of the smaller shows. Then again, I’d probably still be talking shit and getting in trouble,” Priest shared.
Fans have long wondered how Priest would fare against not only those in the Open but the Men’s 212 Bodybuilding division as well. Reigning two-time 212 Olympia Keone Pearson was asked if Priest would have a chance against him in 212. ‘The Prodigy’ responded, “No, I’m just better.”
With Priest’s IFBB Pro card renewal, fans continue to question if a return is on the table. While Priest’s prime years are behind him, the Masters Olympia returns this year, and he would add significant star power to the lineup if he chose to enter.
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