Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
  • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
  • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Home » Arnold Classic

Iain Valliere Breaks Down 2023 Arnold Classic, Says 212 ‘Has No Case’ For Sticking Around

Valliere took a closer look at the upcoming battle between Nick Walker/Andrew Jacked and argued why the 212 division should be dissolved.

Written by Doug Murray

Published on3 February, 2023 | 9:16 AM EDT

Updated on2 February, 2023 | 11:49 PM EDT

Ask Question?
Iain Valliere on 212 being removed

Iain Valliere, Shaun Clarida & Kamal Elgargni (Credit: Instagram)

Iain Valliere took part in the latest Bro Chat podcast to discuss the future of 212 bodybuilding and the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic. During the video, Valliere explained why the 212 division should dissolve and talked about the nearing showdown between Nick Walker and Andrew Jacked. 

After the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest ended, a pair of former 212 athletes emerged in second and first place. Hadi Choopan won his lone Olympia title while Derek Lunsford, who received a special invitation for the Open class, delivered an impressive second-place finish. The night also saw reigning champion Shaun Clarida pick up his second 212 Olympia title. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IFBB Pro Shaun Clarida (@shaunclarida)

Unlike the 2022 Olympia, the 212 division was omitted from this year’s Arnold Classic as well as a few other divisions like Women’s Physique. Fan excitement reached new levels a few weeks ago when the Arnold organizers revealed the Men’s Open contest winner would receive a record $300,000. 

The added incentive worked like a charm, with Nick Walker, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, Andrew Jacked, and Patrick Moore announcing their entries. With the show approximately a month away, Iain Valliere joined Fouad Abiad to discuss the ‘212 takeover’ and how Andrew Jacked could push Nick Walker in Ohio. 

Get Fitter, Faster

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!

Please wait...
You're In! Let's Crush Your Fitness Goals Together

Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.

Iain Valliere on Andrew Jacked vs Nick Walker: ‘I Think Nick Is Unbeatable at this Show to Be Honest’ 

According to Valliere, Walker has the 2023 Arnold Classic in the bag. He specified that the top three at Olympia last year, (Walker, Lunsford, Choopan), were well ‘ahead’ of the competition in Vegas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick "the Mutant" Walker (@nick_walker39)

“I think Nick is unbeatable at this show to be honest. I think Nick is going to be better than he was at Olympia, and I think that Olympia — he was really good. I think he was still a step ahead of Ramy, Samson, Andrew and those guys. That top three especially, was kind of like a very solid group ahead. I think Nick, Hadi, and Derek were kind of like their own three.” 

Valliere suggested that bodybuilders like Andrew Jacked will struggle with the muscularity and hardness of Walker’s physique. 

“I didn’t see Brandon being that close to Nick and I didn’t see Ramy being that close to them either,” says Iain Valliere. “Look, I said here myself. I think Andrew Jacked is probably one of the most impressive physiques on the planet when you see him in person. But I think Nick has a very different level of muscularity and hardness, especially from the side and back. 

Andrew is very big, but he doesn’t have crazy front to back thickness like Nick does because he is so tall, through the arm, delt, chest, side leg, things like that, Nick just has in spades. Nick’s back shots are just fuc**ng insane.” 

Even though Valliere doesn’t think Andrew can beat Nick, he conceded that the Nigerian could out-perform ‘The Mutant’ in a few poses, like the ab and thigh and front lat spread. 

“If Andrew was in really good condition could beat him in an abs and thighs, front lat spread, but beat him? No.”

Valliere On Dissolving 212 Bodybuilding: ‘Some Guys Won’t Be As Good As Derek, Some Guys Won’t Be As Tall As Yao Ming, It’s Just Fuc**ng Reality’ 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Derek Lunsford (@dereklunsford_)

Valliere believes 212 Bodybuilding should be absorbed by the Open class. He suggested athletes from that category should test their resolve in the Open, like Shaun Clarida and Derek Lunsford have. 

“You really have no fuc**ng case for keeping the 212 around,” says Valliere. “Because I still think the guys that are really fuc**ng driven to be the best, would stick out a few years of getting shit on if they believed in their heart. Like the Dereks of the world, would have stuck that shit out and been in the Men’s Open and would have ended up where they are.” 

“That’s the same thing as saying guys that are like 5″10′ shouldn’t pursue basketball and that we should make a shorter net for the guys that are shorter. It’s stupid,” Valliere suggested. “With 212 – I just think a lot of those guys could end up in the Open just like it used to be and be fine.” 

To illustrate his point, Valliere explained that the NBA doesn’t lower the net for athletes who aren’t tall enough. 

“No matter how much I train, I’m not going to be as big as Ramy or as fast as Usain Bolt,” Valliere added. “Some guys won’t be as good as Derek, some guys won’t be as tall as Yao Ming, it’s just the fuc**ng reality. People are not all created equally and just because they aren’t, doesn’t mean we should fill the gap.” 

Valliere wasn’t the only athlete wanting to rid the world of 212 bodybuilding. One of the ‘original giant killers,’ Lee Priest, recently opened up on the subject. Priest competed with mass monsters like Ronnie Coleman during his tenure. He believes athletes should have to go through the same difficulties that he endured as a pro. 

RELATED: Bodybuilders Chris Bumstead and Iain Valliere Go Through a Killer Quad Workout

The nearing 2023 Arnold Classic will give fans an idea of how 212 bodybuilders are faring in the Open class once again. Similar to Priest’s conclusion, Valliere is confident athletes can find success in the sport irrespective of their height/weight. 

Watch the full video on YouTube below:


Catch comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analyses, and complete Arnold Classic results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub:
FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic


If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Doug by leaving a comment below.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn Pinterest
Categories: Arnold Classic Bodybuilding News Videos
Previous Post

100 Squats A Day: The 30-Day Fitness Challenge to Revamp Your Body

Next Post

‘Disappointed’ Chris Cormier Questions Big Ramy’s Olympia Showing, Points at Training, Nerves, and Posing

Doug Murray

Doug Murray

Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA, for publications like Sportskeeda and CagesidePress informs his in-depth reporting.

Related

Lee Priest
Bodybuilding

Lee Priest Shows How to Hack Squat Like Tom Platz for Huge Quads

Nick Walker
Bodybuilding

Nick Walker Wants to ‘Shut Everyone Up’ at 2025 Mr. Olympia, Says Top Threat is Hadi Choopan, Not Samson Dauda or Derek Lunsford

Jay Cutler
Bodybuilding

Jay Cutler Breaks Down Top 3 Most Common Deadlifting Mistakes & How To Fix Them

Steve Weinberger
Bodybuilding

Steve Weinberger Says Nick Walker’s Pittsburgh Pro Performance ‘Proved That He Can Win’ the 2025 Mr. Olympia

Larry Wheels And Sam Sulek Hint At Doing 2026 Arnold Classic
Bodybuilding

Larry Wheels & Sam Sulek Hint at Possible 2026 Arnold Classic Appearance

Sam Sulek
Bodybuilding

Urs Kalecinski Trains Back with IFBB Pro Sam Sulek in Intense Pump and Posing Session

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

2025 TFX Invitational CrossFit Semifinal Results — Nick Mathew and Olivia Kerstetter Win

Exercise Scientist Reveals How to Craft an Optimal Pre-Workout Meal to ‘Unlock More Gains’

Lee Priest Shows How to Hack Squat Like Tom Platz for Huge Quads

Nick Walker Wants to ‘Shut Everyone Up’ at 2025 Mr. Olympia, Says Top Threat is Hadi Choopan, Not Samson Dauda or Derek Lunsford

I Drank a “Summer Detox” Smoothie Every Morning for 7 Days – Here’s What It Did for My Bloat

Liver King Reveals the Cost of Viral Fame in His ‘Untold’ Documentary on Netflix

Fitness Volt

At Fitness Volt, our mission is to empower every individual on their fitness journey by providing expert advice, the latest research, and comprehensive resources. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, we are here to support your goals with trustworthy and up-to-date information in strength, fitness, and nutrition. Read more.

For inquiries, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]

About Us | Careers | Contact Form

Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • WSM
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercises
  • Training
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Discussion Forum

More

  • Calculators
  • Fasting
  • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Workout Plans
  • At-Home Workouts
  • Programs
  • Supplements
  • Newsletter
  • Review Process
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2024 WSM
    • Arnold Classic
  • Forum
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Muscle Groups
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Supplements
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Fitness Calculator
  • More
    • DIY
    • Strength Standards
    • Motivation
    • Videos

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.