?That Was So Funny?: Bodybuilding Legend Once Recalled Winning His 8th Olympia and Bowing Out in Style, Despite a Re-Match Request From His Biggest Rival That Year

Having dominated the golden era of?bodybuilding, Dorian Yates and Lee Haney do not need any introductions. However, not many fans are aware that the two icons were rivals during their competitive years. While both are retired, their rivalry and legacy have remained immortal. During the 1980s and 1990s, Lee Haney was a force to be reckoned with, having also won eight Mr. Olympia titles. Dorian Yates was also not far behind with six?Mr. Olympia?titles. Dorian’s career began when Haney was about to retire.

Recently, a video of the 63-year-old IFBB pro brought back a lot of funny and nostalgic memories for bodybuilding fans. Lee Haney talked about how Dorian wanted a rematch, but he was not ready for it.

Funny banter between Dorian and Lee

It is astonishing to believe that if Lee Haney and Dorian Yates started competing at the same time, they could be the bodybuilding world?s Ali versus Frazier. But Haney started competing when he was 16, and Yates started bodybuilding at 21. Thus, the British bodybuilder had his first Olympia baptism at 29, when Haney was 31 with 8 Olympias, and closed the curtains on his career.

Narrating this incident from his last competition, Haney said,?“So that last Olympia, was my best. But guess what? It had to be the best. Because Dorian was there.”?Haney was aware of Dorian?s prowess and wanted to perform well on stage, which he did.

Haney further narrated,?”I was out when we were at that ladder at one of Mr. Olympias, so?cause I retired.”?Dorian was at the peak of his game and just started getting the whiff of bodybuilding glory, so he insisted on Haney for another competition. Haney, on the other hand, was least interested in competing again after a decorated career and was more excited to go fishing, as he quoted, “I am going fishing, man. That was so funny” Haney laughed while saying this and further stated,?“Let somebody else fight with those youngsters, I?m out of here!”

Read More:?Right After Losing to Lee Haney, Bodybuilding Legend Looks Back At His Monstrous Physique From When His Glorious 6-Olympia Win Steak Started

Yates shared his past tales as well on many occasions and talked about their rivalry.

Dorian Yates respects Lee Haney

Yates earlier posted a throwback picture with Haney where both were posing for the Mr. Olympia stage.?Yates captioned the post, “I saw Lee guest pose in England and he was an inspiration to me, big guy and a family man. I had my son, Lewis, so he was an inspiration in that way as all the other guys were single? so I?m a fan now.”?

Haney was already a Mr. Olympia winner in 1984, while Dorian started training in 1983. However, Yates knew that if he had to be a pro, he had to compete with Haney and not idolize him.?“So in my head, I?m thinking, ‘Maybe I can beat this guy, maybe I?m better than him!’ So I?m in this frame of mind where I?m focused, almost like quite aggressive,”?added Dorian. On top of that, he had the misconception that Haney was a bully. But after they both got on stage and the legendary bodybuilder gave Yates a friendly smile, every misconception cleared up.

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The rivals later sat down and talked about their misunderstandings, and everything cleared up between the two legends. What do you think about their relationship? Tell us in the comments below.