Shahriar Kamali, well known as King Kamali, believes Hadi Choopan and his family could be in danger. On Feb. 21, 2026, he unpacked the fan backlash against Choopan amid Iran’s political unrest. He argued it’s escalated to the point that Choopan is worried for his family.
Protests have erupted across the country of Iran. Civilians have died, but for weeks, Hadi Choopan stayed quiet on social media. In response, Iranian natives have taken to videos, burning pictures of Choopan, who they believe has sided with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite these tensions, Choopan’s focus hasn’t wavered. He set his sights on a second title at the 2026 Arnold Classic, where a $750,000 winner’s purse awaits the new champion. With just a few weeks before showtime, Kamali discussed the controversy in detail.
King Kamali Talks Hadi Choopan Iran Controversy Ahead of 2026 Arnold Classic
In the video, Kamali explained that Hany Rambod dropped Choopan from his Evogen sponsorship because he was bad for business.
“Nobody is buying Evogen,” said Kamali. “He’s in Dubai, 40,000 people get killed. He doesn’t say anything. He stays silent. Even his friends get killed; he doesn’t say anything.”
“When he said that, that’s like pouring salt on the wound for all these people that are suffering, and for all the people that are dying and mourning and this and that. People started to be like, you are not what we thought you were.”
He noted that Choopan has lost 1.2 million Instagram followers. Additionally, Kamali shared that fans don’t just want to cancel him; they want to ‘take care’ of him.
“Yes, 1.2 million [followers lost on Instagram],” said Kamali. “He comes out smirking, makes a video after one of his training sessions in Dubai, and says, brother, you can’t hurt me. He basically pissed on everybody’s face who are cancelling him. After that, that’s when the serious shit started to come out.”
“About a week ago, where they said to him, when we find you, we’re going to fucking take care of you. It went from we’re going to cancel you to now we’re going to fuck you up.”
Kamali said the situation has gotten out of hand and warned Choopan, “If he goes back to Iran, he’s done.”
“Leave his family out of this. They have nothing to do with what Hadi’s doing or saying right now. I said don’t fuck him up this and that. What did I get back in response? Fuck that. We’re going to fuck this guy up.”
“If he goes back to Iran, he is done. I would never, if I were him, even step back into that country again. They are going to fucking destroy him. They are going to get him.”
Not only is Choopan concerned for his well-being, but Kamali also revealed that his family is under 24-hour surveillance. For those reasons, he’d be worried if he were Choopan heading into the Arnold Classic.
“He’s in a position right now where he’s shitting bricks because he’s worried for his family. There’s 24-hour fucking security watching his family right now. They are going to burn down his gym. They are going to fuck him up.”
“I’d worry if I were him if he’s going to Columbus; that’s all I got to say.”
Kamali suggests these tensions could have been avoided had Choopan remained quiet.
“If he would have kept his mouth shut, he would have still had his Evogen contract. He still would have been the hero of the country going into the Arnold Classic. None of his pictures would be ripped down from most of the gyms in Iran.”
Choopan will have to table these concerns to claim gold at the 2026 Arnold Classic. He faces a deep lineup of contenders, including Olympia third-place finisher Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea. Contenders Martin Fitzwater, Nick Walker, and Brandon Curry also plan to make statements.
Choopan has arrived in the US ahead of the event. The 2026 Arnold Classic is set for March 5-8 in Columbus, Ohio. Fitness Volt will have live coverage of the action!
RELATED: Hadi Choopan Shares Ripped Physique Update 5 Weeks from the 2026 Arnold Classic
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