“You’ve Had Four Guys Die”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Compared Bodybuilding Death Toll to MMA to Prove It as the “Most Dangerous in the World”

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a bodybuilding icon. The Austrian played a massive role in bringing the sport to the mainstream. However, in recent decades, the seven-time Mr. Olympia has been a vocal critic of the sport. In 2021, the former champion even said that bodybuilding has become the most dangerous sport in the world.

The bodybuilding icon doesn’t agree with the direction men’s open bodybuilding has taken. In the past, Arnold has criticized open bodybuilding for prioritizing size over proportions, aesthetics, and posing. The bodybuilding icon even compared the sport to MMA, claiming the combat sport was safer. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger gives his unfiltered opinion

In 2021, Arnold joined the broadcast of the Arnold Classic. While watching the Classic Physique contestants, Arnie spoke about men’s open bodybuilding. “It’s the most dangerous sport in the world,” said the seven-time Mr. Olympia. Arnold even compared bodybuilding to mixed martial arts. According to the former champ, MMA might seem more dangerous, but that’s not the case.

“In MMA fighters, you’ve had four guys die in the last ten years,” said the Hollywood star. However, he compared the figure to the death toll in Men’s Open bodybuilding. “In bodybuilding, you’ve had 14 guys over the last ten years,” said Arnold during the broadcast. The seven-time Mr. Olympia also explained the cause of the rising death toll in bodybuilding.

The founder of the Arnold Classic said, unlike the Classic Physique athletes, Men’s Open competitors take more “medications” Arnold also said Classic Physique competitors don’t need to put on as much muscle mass as Men’s Open bodybuilders. Instead, they can focus more on posing and proportion.

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Arnold even said that Classic Physique is the future of bodybuilding. As the top four Classic Physique athletes began posing on the stage, Arnold said, “This is where the action is, right in front of us,”

Why Classic Physique is the way forward

The Classic Physique athletes impressed the seven-time Mr. Olympia the most. During the broadcast, Arnold heaped praise onto the Classic Physique athletes. Not only did the former champion admire their physique, but Arnold also spoke highly of their posing. The bodybuilding icon pointed out how relaxed the athletes’ faces looked while posing.

He said the Classic Physique and Men’s Open should have equal rewards. From winning more cash to getting more sponsorship offers, the Classic Physique division needs more support, said Arnold. During the broadcast, Schwarzenegger spoke to Arnold Classic winner Cedric McMillan. McMillan passed away in April 2022.

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While Classic Physique may not replace Men’s Open bodybuilding, the death toll in bodybuilding continues to rise.