The sport continues to undergo unpredictable changes, leading bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto to discuss its future. In a recent YouTube video shared on January 20, 2025, Aceto discussed whether Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay will make his comeback in 2025. He also revealed the top vulnerabilities of Pros Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda.
The Men’s Open landscape has evolved rapidly over the years. In 2022, Big Ramy was unable to fend off Hadi Choopan at the Mr. Olympia contest. While he lacked the usual density in his triceps and lats, Ramy bet on himself again at the 2023 Arnold Classic, which served as his last contest since taking a hiatus. He ultimately took fourth place, showcasing dramatic improvements thanks to much-needed stem cell therapy procedures.
While Ramy was away from the stage, Choopan lost his Olympia title to Derek Lunsford in 2023. Like a game of hot potato, the title switched hands again in 2024 as Samson Dauda laid claim to his maiden Sandow trophy. With talks heating up about Ramy’s comeback, Chris Aceto gave his thoughts on his potential return and some of the biggest names in the Open class.
Chris Aceto Discusses Samson Dauda’s, Derek Lunsford’s Biggest ‘Vulnerabilities,’ & If Big Ramy Makes Comeback in 2025
In a recent YouTube video, Chris Aceto, who has coached Big Ramy in the past, speculated that he might be on the verge of mounting a comeback.
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“To clarify for people, Dave said we had nothing to talk about, he said, what should we talk about? And I said nothing. Then, I said what about Big Ramy? Dave said what? I said quote, I heard he’s making a comeback.”
According to Aceto, Ramy is dangerous at any show he enters. He believes Ramy is the biggest bodybuilder he’s ever witnessed.
“I think Ramy is dangerous in any show he does,” shares Aceto. “He’s so big. We talked about this. I was on Guy Cisternino’s show, and he said who’s the biggest guy you ever saw and I didn’t even hesitate. It was 2015 Arnold Classic Weekend, Ramy was not competing, he was in an off-season.”
Although Ramy doesn’t have the same physique as 10 years ago, Aceto refused to dismiss his chances against top athletes in the Open class.
“I know it’s 10 years removed, but I’m just making the point that he’s dangerous in any show just because if you really want a break, if width has any — Jay Cutler built a career on width and quads. If there’s any merit to width and quads, even after 10 years, those two features are not going away.”
Switching gears, Aceto explained why Lunsford’s biggest vulnerability to Dauda is his lack of height. As for Dauda’s top weakness, Aceto pointed to his back shots.
“Derek’s vulnerability to Samson is that Samson is taller and there’s more of him. Samson’s vulnerability would be back shots. It’s a close show, it’s close between those two. It’s easy to compare like Derek to a Hadi, right? It’s hard to compare Samson because he’s the biggest guy on the stage. So, what are you comparing?”
“I think they’ll just judge, I just wouldn’t limit it to just two names but just judge what shows up, whatever shows up in front of them period,” he shared.
Lastly, Aceto touched on the new IFBB Pro League rule that took effect, where athletes’ Pro status are revoked if they are inactive for more than three years without renewing their membership.
“I won my Pro card, let’s say someone wins their Pro card in 2005 and they want to compete again in 2014. The competition probably bypassed you anyway,” he shared. “What are you doing if you don’t compete, outside of an injury, what are you doing? A three-year bulk session?”
While we have yet to hear from Big Ramy on a potential comeback, rumors are circulating. Should we receive verifiable information about his return, Fitness Volt will keep you up to date on his plans.
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