“At One Point We Were Nose to Nose”: Bodybuilding Icons Come Clean With One of the ‘Most Heated’ Times on Mr. Olympia Stage

The world of bodybuilding has witnessed a number of tough rivalries and neck-to-neck battles throughout. However, some of them have often evolved into companionship, later on reflecting on the disputes as hilarious memories. Similarly, the recent episode of Straight Outta Lair on YouTube hosted by former bodybuilder, Flex Lewis shed light on a similar incident. 

IFBB pro, Derek Lunsford appeared on the show, candidly chatting about a plethora of topics related to bodybuilding, his career, and past incidents. Moments into the video, the two athletes recounted a brief dispute they had at a conference in 2018. 

Derek Lunsford and Flex Lewis recall their close battle 

As per the interview, the 30-year-old athlete revealed that around the end of a press conference in 2018, a fellow competitor began calling him out on the mic. Humiliated by the act, Lunsford assumed that it was Lewis’s antic. Therefore, he confronted him on the matter, thus, sparking off a disagreement between the two. 

“I was like Flex did you set that up?” he said. Minutes later, the matter began snowballing and turned into a dispute between Lunsford and the Welsh bodybuilder. “I uh I remember it was just like exchange of words don’t really remember exactly what those words were you’re disrespectful I’m not disrespectful now you’re disrespecting me blah blah blah,” the American athlete recalled. 

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Moreover, as the matter escalated, both the athlete were standing close, angry and ready to fight while the others watched. Hence, he added, “and I remember at one point we were like nose to know we got close like it was broken up bro I was like I’m about to have a wrestling match right now I can’t wrestle yeah.” Although Lunsford admitted that he was more of a “punk kid” back then, the two expressed their mutual respect and admiration for each other. 

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While it was a close call, it has come to be remembered as a treasured memory to be laughed about. Regardless of that, both athletes are notable personalities within the sport’s domain and have extended their hands out for a healthy companionship.