“Entire Career Making Excuses”: 7-Time Mr. Olympia Winner Phil Heath Destroyed Another Bodybuilding Icon Kai Greene in Public During Their Ugly Rivalry in 2014

Kai Greene and Phil Heath had one of the most iconic bodybuilding rivalries in recent times. The seven-time Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath had dethroned Jay Cutler and looked unstoppable ever since. However, Kai was determined to take the Mr. Olympia title for himself and gave Phil a run for his money. After finishing second twice in a row, Kai Greene believed that in 2014, the Mr. Olympia title would be his.

During the pre-contest press conference, a war of words broke out between the rivals. While Kai started it, Phil came back with an epic reply.

Kai Greene and Phil Heath were in a war of words

Things got ugly between Kai Greene and Phil Heath during the 2014 Mr. Olympia press conference. While talking to the press, Phil said, “I told my father before he passed that, you know, I’m going to bring one home for him. And that’s what I intend to do. I’d be foolish to come up here like I said before.”

However, Kai interrupted him and said, “That’s what the first three should’ve been!” He further added, “I respect your father. I respect anyone that has had a father.” And said he didn’t want to come across as negative, “But its 2014. 2013 is in the past.”

Kai’s statement agitated Phil. “You’ve talked about the past your whole, entire career, making excuses,” Phil snapped back. Kai has always talked about his troubled childhood and how bodybuilding saved him. However, things didn’t calm down, and the back and forth continued. So, the host asked Kai to give three reasons why Phil would lose on stage.

Kai said that he would outweigh Phil by 40 lbs, would be wider than Phil on stage, and also would bring a much more developed back. However, Heath didn’t agree. When the host asked him the same question, Phil said, “2011, 2012, and 2013.”

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Phil Heath’s response drew an enormous cheer from the crowd, and it finally shut down Kai. The Greene vs. Heath rivalry had been on since 2011 and neither was ready to back down. However, 2014 would be the last time Heath and Greene faced off on stage. Kai Greene didn’t take part in the 2015 Mr. Olympia and hasn’t competed since winning the 2016 Arnold Classic.

Things got physical on stage

The long rivalry, trash talk, and arguments finally reached a boiling point during the contest. As the rivals posed side by side, Kai kept flicking Phil with his hair. Soon Phil and Kai were nudging each other during posing and Kai lost his cool. Both bodybuilders even squared up and looked ready to throw down on the Olympia stage. However, the officials intervened on time.

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Phil Heath vs. Kai Greene ranks near the top when one thinks about iconic bodybuilding rivalries. While Kai never beat Phil, their rivalry was good for the sport. It kept bodybuilding relevant at a time when few could challenge the seven-time Mr. Olympia’s dominance. Greene also became very popular among fans.