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 » Bodybuilding

Jay Cutler: The 2023 Arnold Classic’s 300K Prize Money Rivals The Mr. Olympia Payout

Cutler opened up on the recent prize money increase for the 2023 Arnold Classic: 'they're not going backwards; Arnold has a lot of influence.'

Written by Doug Murray

Published on2 February, 2023 | 2:12 PM EDT

Ask Question?
Jay Cutler Arnold Classic Prize Money

Jay Cutler (Credit: Instagram & YouTube)

Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler earned four Mr. Olympia titles and three at the Arnold Classic while competing as an IFBB Pro. In a recent episode of Cutler Cast, Cutler discussed the prestige and prize money of the annual Arnold Classic competition. 

“I always thought [the money] couldn’t over-rule the Olympia, that was my thought, but I don’t think that’s the truth,” Jay Cutler said.

Hadi Choopan was crowned Mr. Olympia last December. At the event, over 25 men from the Open class battled for gold. By the end of the weekend, over $1.5 million was awarded to successful participants at the show, spanning 11 categories total. 
 
The Arnold Sports organizers released a final competitors list a few weeks after 2022 Olympia. However, two athletes – Blessing Awodibu and Charles Griffen pulled themselves from the contest shortly after the list was revealed. As a result of their actions, the IFBB issued new disciplinary action for any bodybuilders who withdraw from an invitational after the list is made public. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hadi Choopan | هادی چوپان (@hadi_choopan)

 

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.

To entice others to join the show, the Arnold promoters boosted the prize money from $200,000 to $300,000. Shortly after making the decision, Nick Walker, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, Andrew Jacked, and Patrick Moore entered the contest.
 
Cutler, who etched a legacy with a handful of Arnold and Olympia titles, discussed the show’s growing prestige. In addition, he compared the prize money from now to back when he competed, mostly from the 1990s-mid-2000s. 

Jay Cutler Says Arnold Classic Prize Money ‘Is Almost’ As Much as What Mr. Olympia Is Awarded

When Jay was competing, he shared that the Mr. Olympia winner was guaranteed a purse of $100,000. 

 
“So we talk about the shows okay… the Olympia is obviously the biggest title right. The Arnold Classic we have coming up. We don’t have the schedule yet; we talked a little bit about that. We are going to be present there in the first week of March. Everyone kind of picks what the biggest contest is, but damn, the Arnold this year is almost as much prize money for the Men’s Open as the Mr. Olympia. 
 
If you remember, back when I did it, remember: the Olympia was $100,000 or $110,000 and the Arnold was paying $100,000 – I think it was only 10 grand more, but once the Arnold started giving out the H2 Hummers, the Olympia started adding the Escalade. Then, obviously the money is bumped up. Then, it got bumped up to $130,000, now it’s $300,000, they’re not going backwards.” 

Cutler believes the Arnold Classic competition is an ideal show for competitors to cement their status as one of the best bodybuilders in the world. 
 

“Remember, it’s about how much sponsorship comes in, how much recognition. Obviously, with Arnold’s name he has a lot of influence right,” says Cutler. “I had that one, two, position for quite some time.” 

Cutler on Building Legacy: ‘If I Won Just Olympia and No Arnolds,’ I’m Not Sure My Name Would Be What It Is Today

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jay Cutler (@jaycutler)

The 49-year-old maintains that Arnold Classic titles are essential to building a lasting résumé in bodybuilding. 

“Yeah, I mean, it was like I said, it’s always an honor to be there [at Arnold Classics] but remember, I hadn’t won an Olympia title yet. This was the biggest title. I had already won the Night of Champions, which is now the New York Pro. It was kind of a step forward. It was another check on that list.” 
 
“That Arnold every year meant so much to me. Arnold was a huge reason people attended the show and the name was so large. But at the same time, I was looking at it like a steppingstone to Mt. Olympus or building a legacy in bodybuilding. I think if I just won four Mr. Olympias and no Arnolds, would my name be what it is. Because I had that hype so much. Time and time again, I defended a title or positioning.” 

Aside from talking prize money, Cutler also named his favorites ahead of the 2023 Arnold Classic. Other than Big Ramy entering the show at ‘100%,’ Cutler doesn’t see anyone else challenging Nick Walker in Ohio. He added that Nick’s mindset and vision are dialed in a month before the show. 
 
RELATED: Dennis James: If Big Ramy ‘Fills Out and Conditioning Is Right’ He ‘Should Win’ 2023 Arnold Classic
 
The last time Jay Cutler talked about the 2023 Arnold Classic prize money; he couldn’t believe the lack of participants, but that’s since changed. Given what three AC titles did for his career, Cutler stands by the show being worth more to competitors than simply prize money. 

Check out the full video 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

Samir Bannout Takes Shot at Bodybuilding ‘Gurus’: ‘Understand Nutrition, Don’t Rely On Drugs’

Next Post

Hafthor Björnsson Inducted into The International Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023

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

Tom Platz
Bodybuilding

Tom Platz Says Using Higher Reps and Heavier Weights on Different Training Days is the ‘Secret’ to Bodybuilding

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bodybuilding

Mr. Olympia Icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman Team Up for Delt and Arm Workout at Gold’s Gym Venice

Marcello De Angelis Announces Move To Classic Physique
Bodybuilding

Bodybuilder Marcello De Angelis Announces Return to Classic Physique

Bob Cicherillo
Bodybuilding

Bob Cicherillo & Shawn Ray Urge Regan Grimes to Skip 2025 Olympia, Say Classic Physique Is Bodybuilding and Freak Show Could Kill Men’s Open

Lee Priest
Bodybuilding

Lee Priest Reveals His Cheapest High-Protein Go-To Bulking Meal

Lee Priest
Bodybuilding

Lee Priest Talks President Trump’s Travel Ban, Reveals Whether It Will Impact Hadi Choopan at 2025 Mr. Olympia

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Latest

Alan Ritchson Shows Off Ripped Upper Body, Hits ‘Low-Ish Weight & High Volume’ Workout for Hypertrophy and Longevity

Arnold Schwarzenegger Says Standing Throughout the Day Can Reduce Risk of Early Death by Up to 55%

Tom Platz Says Using Higher Reps and Heavier Weights on Different Training Days is the ‘Secret’ to Bodybuilding

Forget the Gym — These 3 Kettlebell Moves Will Transform Your Entire Body

Mr. Olympia Icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman Team Up for Delt and Arm Workout at Gold’s Gym Venice

Pleun Dekkers (52KG) Sets 178-kg (392.4-lb) Raw Squat World Record at 2025 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships

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.