Jay Cutler Believes He Should've Beaten Ronnie Coleman At 2001 Olympia

The career of Jay Cutler is not looked at in the same light as the career of someone like Dexter Jackson or Ronnie Coleman. Nevertheless, he is happy with what he accomplished, and still believes he was better than Dexter.

Cutler had a solid career as a bodybuilder, winning the Olympia on four different occasions. However for some reason, many people do not view his career the same way as others in the sport, despite his incredible resume. Some people felt that his biggest victories were against people who were past their prime, and so they do not get the same respect as others do.

View this post on Instagram

Probably one of my greatest looks I was able to achieve onstage I was heading into my 2nd Arnold Classic defense and decided last minute to jump into the Pro Ironman in Redondo Beach I had last competed in the show in 1999 and finished 3rd, do why not take a stab at another title…. well I did that at about 270lbs and won that event. I get the question often “Hey Jay, what was your best..?” My answer usually “I never saw my best as I was always trying to be better that my best.” #mrolympia #ironmanpro #titles #bodybuilding #arnoldclassicusa #cutlernation✊

A post shared by Mr Olympia Jay Cutler (@jaycutler) on Dec 26, 2019 at 7:59pm PST

However, Jay Cutler disagrees with those sentiments. In fact, speaking to his fans in a recent YouTube Q & A video, he vocalized those emotions. Specifically, he was asked how he felt about not being able to beat Ronnie Coleman and Dexter Jackson while they were at their best, and he explained that he feels like he did.

“I think Dexter was at his best when he lost to me in 2009. He nearly beat me in ’08, I came back in ’09. Ronnie Coleman was in his prime when I should’ve won in 2001, in my opinion. It was a very close judge’s decision.

So I was very comparable at that point, but no it didn’t frustrate me at all, because I was able to win.”

Regardless of how he did against Ronnie Coleman or Dexter Jackson, Cutler says he has no regrets about his career. In fact, he explained that these setbacks helped to make him the man he is today.

“I came out of it with a very successful career, I’m doing great things and doing my best to give back. I’m very satisfied with how my career went. I wouldn’t change one thing.

I wouldn’t go back and say ‘Oh man, if I would’ve won in 2001, what might my career have done?’ I’m very happy with those second places, they made me a stronger person. The failures in life are sometimes more valuable than the victories, I promise you that.”

That is a really good way to look at the bodybuilding career of Jay Cutler. Sure he may have had some disappointing losses, but he also had some incredible wins. To see him be able to reflect on that so openly is a relief.