It looks like Dorian Yates isn’t picking up what Dr. Mike Israetel is putting down. After Dr. Israetel called himself bigger, stronger, and more educated than the late Mike Mentzer, Yates came to the bodybuilding legend’s defense via Instagram on October 22, 2025.
“Who am I compared to Mike Mentzer? Well, real talk, I’m bigger than Mike Mentzer, I’m stronger than Mike Mentzer, and I’m more educated. I know more things than Mike Mentzer, and a lot of that’s because I’ve just been in the future and learned everything he did and then everything after.
It’s like, hey, this is some shit that worked in the ’60s — yeah, but I’m ten times your size. I don’t wanna come off like a d*ck, but why are you guys worshiping this guy?” said Israetel.
Mike Mentzer revolutionized the sport throughout the 1980s, having played a critical role in the training system adopted by Yates. He and Nautilus exercise machine founder Arthur Jones developed a protocol dependent on reaching failure instead of aiming for a set number of reps and sets.
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Evidently, this strategy produced results; Dorian Yates won six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles throughout his career. While Israetel might have been joking, Yates still thought it was best to set the record straight.
Dorian Yates Takes Aim at Dr. Mike Israetel: “Your Physique Is Nowhere Near Mike Mentzer”
In the video, Yates noted that even with all the steroids Dr. Israetel has taken, his physique doesn’t compare to Mentzer’s.
“I guess I’m Mike’s friend, he’s not here, so Dr. Mike, first of all, I hope that you’re being tongue-in-cheek kind of humorous, otherwise, I fear either for your eyesight or your mental health because obviously, your physique is nowhere near Mike Mentzer. Even with all the PEDs that you’re taking, that you estimate will take 10 years off your life.”
Yates drove home his argument, stating, “a bag of shit that gets bigger is just a bigger bag of shit.”
“Well, maybe you need to ask yourself where it’s worth it mate, because a bag of shit that gets bigger is just a bigger bag of shit. It’s still a bag of shit,” Yates shared.
Part of Dr. Israetel’s allure is self-deprecating humor and sarcasm. Most who consistently watch his content know he has profound respect for bodybuilding legends. He’s gone to great lengths to analyze and critique the training of all-time greats, including Yates, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and Phil Heath.
Having taken insights from Mentzer throughout his career, Yates holds him in high regard. Do you think Dr. Israetel was kidding?
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