Dennis James was joined by Milos Sarcev, Jose Raymond, and Joe Palacios for episode 246 of The Menace Podcast, and in per week the place Urls Kalecinski introduced his transfer from Basic to Open competitors, the gang debated whether or not or not bodybuilders ought to have the ability to compete in a number of classes, significantly Keone Pearson, who has dominated the 212 subject since 2023.
The doubtless controversial chat relating to Olympia guidelines bought began when Milos Sarcev stated that Keone Pearson, who’s the back-to-back 212 Olympia champ, ought to be allowed to compete within the Open division too.
“Mr Olympia is one of the best bodybuilder on the earth,” stated Sarcev of profitable within the Open division, explaining that he couldn’t perceive why if a competitor comparable to Pearson competes within the 212 finals on sooner or later, why he can’t enter the Open division the subsequent day throughout Olympia weekend. “I’m opening a can of worms once more,” admitted Sarcev. “We’re gonna go away that may closed and sealed,” joked host Dennis James, noting that they didn’t have the facility to make these varieties of choices. “I really feel you,” stated The Menace, nonetheless. “I believe the identical.”
How Would Keone Pearson Truthful within the Open Division?
Underneath the present guidelines, it’s potential to qualify for the Olympia in a number of classes, however when the occasion comes round, you need to select which division you wish to enter. This situation has typically given bodybuilders a troublesome selection about what weight they need to make, or how they might honest in the event that they have been to comply with their hearts to a special division. Chris Bumstead famously wrestled with sticking within the Basic division when there may be extra money to be made within the Open class. Derek Lunsford additionally took his time shifting from 212 to Open however gained the occasion outright in 2023.
“In the event you qualify for each, it is best to have the ability to compete in each,” stated The Menace. “Nevertheless it’s lower than us.” James concluded by agreeing with Milos Sarcev that Keone Pearson didn’t have any competitors within the 212 division in his view. “The place do you assume he would place, within the Open?” requested Jose Raymond. “I might say I believe he locations as excessive as fourth, proper now,” responded Joe Palacious, the up-and-coming bodybuilder who took third place within the 2025 Tampa Professional and second place within the Texas Professional.
Milos Sarcev went additional, suggesting that Pearson had a shot at profitable ought to be discover himself within the Open division, whereas acknowledging that this 12 months’s ultimate, with defending champion Samson Dauda, plus Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Nick Walker will likely be “off the charts.”
Keone Pearson has expressed a number of occasions that he see’s the Open division as his future, however for now the massive man stays focussed on 212 as he makes an attempt to threepeat his title at this 12 months’s Olympia. To look at the total episode the place the boys additionally went into element on rising star Joe Palacious’ coaching, contest prep, and different breaking bodybuilding information, see beneath: