On the latest episode of The Menace Podcast, a debate about the greatest physiques in bodybuilding history returned to the stage. Host Dennis James, joined by Milos Sarcev and Jose Raymond, analyzed the career trajectories and stage presence of four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and Big Ramy. The conversation focused on comparing their massive frames, conditioning, and overall impact on the sport.
Big Ramy, whose real name is Mamdouh Elssbiay, burst onto the scene by winning the IFBB Amateur Mr. Olympia event in 2012. He quickly ascended to the professional ranks, making his Mr. Olympia final debut in 2013. While he placed eighth that year, Ramy went on to claim the title in 2020 and 2021, establishing himself as a dominant force in the sport.
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Meanwhile, Cutler had already secured a legendary status before these two ever shared a stage. He is a four-time winner of the Sandow trophy, taking home the title in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010. However, the podcast hosts noted that when the two titans met at the 2013 finals, Cutler was past his prime. Despite this age gap, Cutler managed to finish sixth, while the younger Ramy finished eighth.
2013 Comparison and Expert Opinions
Reflecting on that specific 2013 contest, Jose Raymond offered a candid assessment of Cutler’s performance. He suggested that Cutler was “gifted that spot,” arguing that Ramy was “significantly bigger and in better shape” on stage. Dennis James agreed with his fellow panelist, stating that Ramy had made Cutler look “bad in a lot of poses.” James noted that the Egyptian bodybuilder possessed a unique combination of width, a defined waist, and extreme quad development.
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When considering who would win in their prime, James argued that Ramy was the more impressive of the two. He described Ramy as one of the widest bodybuilders he has ever seen, with a physique that looked like a “cartoon character.” The hosts concluded that while both men were among the widest competitors in history, the sheer scale of Big Ramy’s development sets him apart in their eyes.
The panelists also touched upon the practical reality of how these two athletes carried their weight. A massive change in mass alters how a bodybuilder moves and presents themselves on stage. When an athlete adds significant bulk, their joints and spine must adapt to the new leverage and pressure. This often affects the fluidity of their posing routines and their ability to maintain tension in the muscles. A competitor who gains extreme mass might lose some of the sharpness or separation that comes from strict dieting, creating a different kind of visual appeal compared to a leaner, more defined athlete. The distinction between “thickness” and “conditioning” becomes less about aesthetics and more about the physical mechanics of the human frame under extreme load.
