Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler continues to watch over the Men’s Open division in retirement. In a recent YouTube video shared on January 18, 2025, Cutler discussed the best age for bodybuilding success and predicted there could be a shake-up at the 2025 Arnold Classic.
The hype around the 2025 Arnold Classic has been building for a year. Bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that this year’s Men’s Open winner would walk away with a life-changing $500,000 payday when all is said and done.
Unsurprisingly, this attracted a host of elite bodybuilding contenders, including the reigning Mr. Olympia winner Samson Dauda. ‘The Nigerian Lion’ aims to achieve a second title on stage but will have to get through Derek Lunsford, who recently teamed up with bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto.
That’s just the top of the ticket, as many notable threats loom in the background. Andrew Jacked finished fifth in his last Olympia contest and will be in attendance. Meanwhile, other IFBB Pros such as Akim Williams, Shaun Clarida, and Brandon Curry are after statement-making performances.
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Jay Cutler Discusses Bodybuilding’s Prime Age, Warns of a Potential ‘Shakeup’ at 2025 Arnold Classic
In a recent YouTube video, Jay Cutler opened up on the prime age to find success in bodybuilding, which he believes to be in the 30s. However, back when he competed, most competitors began gaining traction in the sport in their 20s.
“Look at the guys now, they get better in their 30s than in their 20s where it was reverse back in the early days. When we were coming up everyone seemed super young. Didn’t it seem like all the guys were really young? Gaspari, Eddie Robinson, even Haney. Even Haney was young. He was 22 [when he started].”
He mentioned that most of the bodybuilders who won Mr. Olympia titles were in their 30s, outside of the late Shawn Rhoden.
“That’s when I feel like you’re not even in your stride yet [20s],” he said. “Listen, I won at 33. Ronnie won at 34. Phil won at 31. Derek won pretty young. I don’t know Hadi’s age. Big Ramy won in his 30s. Brandon Curry, I mean Shawn Rhoden was the oldest, he was 43. So what does that tell you?”
“It’s a big swing. Samson is 39, I think. It’s kind of like the youth versus I don’t want to say elder, I retired at 40 but no insult to anyone, 40 is still super young. Derek is kind of like the young gun going into the Arnold Classic.”
Although ‘everyone is picking Samson,’ Cutler believes there are talents who could cause a shakeup when the Arnold Classic kicks off.
“Everyone is picking Samson, Derek, and Andrew Jacked for the top three but I feel like there’s some really good talent in there. I think that could shake it up a little bit. There’s a lot of good guys in that show. Even like Akim’s in there, who did well the end of the season.”
He credited Samson Dauda for his latest progress and refused to count out Carlos Thomas Jr.
“Have you seen this Carlos Thomas Jr. lately? He looks really good too. They are talking about him. He still might need a little time. But listen, Samson looks amazing. Derek looks amazing. I saw Cormier is down there training him.”
Cutler would have liked to see Nick Walker compete in Columbus, Ohio again.
“I kind of wish he was doing the Arnold. I think Nick could have done it. He’s looking pretty impressive,” said Cutler.
This wasn’t the first time that Jay Cutler assessed the bodybuilding lineup headed to the Arnold Classic. Despite Dauda entering the show as the reigning Mr. Olympia, Cutler hasn’t underestimated Derek Lunsford. He believes the new ‘2.0’ version of Lunsford can still win the Arnold Classic in his debut at the event.
The 2025 Arnold Classic has all of the ingredients needed for an epic show, which will give fans a clearer picture of what lies ahead at the Olympia. Don’t miss Fitness Volt’s full coverage of the Arnold Classic!
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