Arguments about the greatest bodybuilders have been ongoing since the sport’s inception. On Jan. 7, 2026, via Instagram, Dorian Yates revealed who would win between bodybuilding icons spanning different eras.
The Men’s Open class is the premier division in the IFBB Pro League. It houses the most star power, and for decades, athletes with different structures, shapes, and aesthetics have found success on the Mr. Olympia stage, the most prestigious contest in bodybuilding.
The Golden Era saw Arnold Schwarzenegger reign as king. Shortly thereafter, Lee Haney cemented his status as an all-time great with eight Olympia titles. Yates then ushered in a new era of mass monsters before Ronnie Coleman took that torch and ran with it.
No one rules forever, as Jay Cutler managed to take out Coleman to solidify his name in bodybuilding history. Raising the bar, Phil Heath commanded the stage to win seven Olympia titles. We’ve always wondered how these titans would fare against each other, which led Yates to examine some of these matchups in detail.
Dorian Yates Tackles Cross-Era Fantasy Matchups Between Bodybuilding Legends
In the video, Yates was asked about several battles involving bodybuilders from different eras.
Jay Cutler vs Frank Zane
He kept it short and sweet when previewing the hypothetical clash between Jay Cutler and Frank Zane.
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“Jay Cutler.”
Jay Cutler vs Sergio Oliva
His answer was more nuanced with this comparison. Though he credited Oliva for being ahead of his time, he believes that at their all-time best, Cutler had the more ‘advanced’ physique.
“The thing is, here, I want to answer the question, but maybe it’s not like boxing or kickboxing, where this guy would probably be better than that guy because it’s eras in bodybuilding.
Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva, they are from an earlier era, and Jay Cutler is from the modern era. Best versus the best? That would be Jay Cutler because he was more advanced but Sergio Oliva, for his time, was above everybody,” he said.
Jay Cutler vs Phil Heath
With some hesitation, “The Shadow” picked Heath over Cutler.
“That one is tough because they competed and they both have won. My personal preference? I would go overall with Phil Heath.”
Phil Heath vs Chris Bumstead
According to Yates, a battle between Chris Bumstead and Heath wouldn’t be close.
“Phil Heath, easily.”
Phil Heath vs Lee Haney
While he prefers Lee Haney’s physique overall, in a head-to-head battle, he thought Heath would emerge victorious.
“Again, we’re talking two eras. If we put them both onstage at their best, I think maybe Phil Heath would win but I prefer Lee Haney’s physique.”
Lee Haney vs Dorian Yates
Despite having lost to Haney, Yates believes his best version was superior to Haney’s.
“It depends. I competed against Lee Haney in ’91, and he beat me, rightly. I beat him in one round of three,” he shared. “If we’re talking Dorian at his best and Haney at his best, then yes, I will beat him.”
Dorian Yates vs Ronnie Coleman
Out of any competitor, Yates said Ronnie Coleman would beat him.
“Probably Ronnie. He’s the only one I’d say that. My competitive ego doesn’t like it, but probably he would beat me.
Ronnie Coleman vs Arnold Schwarzenegger
If Coleman and Schwarzenegger ever squared off at their best, Yates would have to give the nod to Coleman by a long shot.
“Ronnie. Arnold was great. Head and shoulders above everybody and had great genetics. But, if you’re talking about what he produced and what Ronnie did, it was 40 years later… of course, Ronnie would destroy him.”
Fantasy matchups always make for interesting discussions. Judge Terrick El Guindy recently joined in on the action. He compared the prime physiques of Yates and Cutler. El Guindy thought it was close but gave the edge to Cutler.
Yates can appreciate what each era of the sport has offered fans. When it comes to the all-time best physique, he wouldn’t outright say it, but he seemed to be leaning toward Ronnie Coleman.
RELATED: Chris Bumstead on Fantasy Match-Up vs Arnold Schwarzenegger: ‘I Think I Would Beat Him’
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