Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay appears to be very close to stepping back on the Mr. Olympia stage. On April 15, 2025, he revealed that there is an 80% chance fans will see him compete at the Mr. Olympia this year, set for October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A lot has changed since Big Ramy’s time on top. The former two-time Mr. Olympia winner’s last contest came back in 2023, at the Arnold Classic, where he secured fourth place against a stacked lineup, which featured names like Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and Nick Walker.
Since losing his title, three Olympia titleholders have emerged each year. In 2022, Hadi Choopan took the throne only to surrender it to his teammate Derek Lunsford in 2023. Last October, Lunsford was unable to fend off Samson Dauda, who became the 19th man to claim the Sandow trophy.
The Egyptian native’s physique was beginning to show signs of wear and tear. Head judge Steve Weinberger explained that his lat and tricep definition were lacking in his last Olympia outing. He’s attempted to correct these issues with stem cell therapy treatments. While Ramy has been quiet for months, it now looks like he’s closer than ever to mounting a comeback.
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Former 2x Champion Big Ramy Says 2025 Mr. Olympia Return Chances Stand at 80%
In a recent Instagram post, Big Ramy teased an Olympia comeback, revealing that if he’s stronger than before, fans should expect to see him back in action.
“I’m trying my best to be back, but I need to come back without an issue. That’s my goal, and I need to get back onstage, I need to be stronger than before. If I can’t come back with what I need, I don’t like to go onstage anymore.”
He gave himself an 80% chance of making his Mr. Olympia return in 2025.
“I’m trying my best to be in Olympia this year. I fixed many problems with my muscles. I can’t say 100%, but I can say 80%, I will be back onstage this year. I’ll try, I’ll try,” explained Big Ramy.
If Big Ramy follows through on a return, he’ll have the opportunity to make bodybuilding history. Should he reclaim gold, he’d join bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler as the second Open IFBB Pro to ever regain the prestigious title after losing it.
With the Mr. Olympia contest less than six months away, he still has plenty of time to make improvements. He’s carrying plenty of size, and fans would love to see how he fares against the latest crop of Open threats on the horizon.
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