While looking back at Phil Heath’s career, fans often highlight his rivalry with Kai Greene. However, thanks to the intensity of the rivalry, many people forget that Heath’s first challenge on the Olympia stage was four-time champion Jay Cutler. The Gift had to admit defeat at the hands of Cutler three years in a row before dethroning him in 2011.
However, people often forget about their rivalry because the pair never showcased animosity while competing on stage. In fact, The Gift has fond memories of his time competing with Jay Cutler, as evident from his latest Instagram story.
A blast from the past
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Bodybuilding page TheMuscleFitness on Instagram shared a comparison image of Jay Cutler and Phil Heath from the 2010 Mr. Olympia. The former champion shared the image in his story and tagged Cutler. “@jaycutler, great times brother,” Phil Heath wrote. It was a collage of four poses, comparing front and back double biceps and front and rear lat spread.
In 2010, Jay Cutler won his final Mr. Olympia title. Although he competed in 2011, The Gift won. However, throughout their rivalry and beyond, Cutler and Heath remained friends. The Comeback Kid had helped Heath when he was a rookie, and that’s how they formed a lasting friendship.
After Jay Cutler retired, Kai Greene became Phill Heath’s biggest challenger. The two rivals became the main attractions of the Mr. Olympia contest from 2011 to 2014. Although Greene was a fan favorite who always seemed on the verge of beating Phil Heath, he never did. Interestingly, as Heath racked up wins, something unexpected happened when he surpassed Jay Cutler’s record.
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When Jay Cutler nearly cut ties
During an interview with Patrick Bet-David of Valutainement in 2019, Phil Heath divulged what happened after he won his fifth Sandow trophy. The seven-time champion explained that every time he won a Mr. Oympia, he would compare himself with previous champions like Dexter Jackson, who once, and three-time winner Sergio Oliva.
Heath told Bet-David that after he had won four Olympia titles, Cutler was “pi***d.” In fact, after Phil Heath surpassed the Comeback Kid, he almost cut ties with Heath. “We barely even talk anymore,” the former champion said in 2019.
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However, the former champions seemed to have mended their relationship. Heath has appeared on the Cutler Cast, and they have nothing but praise for one another. The Gift wouldn’t call Jay Cutler his brother if they disliked one another.
Read More | When Is Phil Heath’s Documentary ‘Breaking Olympia’ Coming Out?