Flex Lewis, the retired 212 bodybuilding champion, hinted at a potential comeback to the sport in a recent interview with Steve Kuclo on the Straight Outta the Lair podcast. The athlete set a condition for his return – a seven-figure payout.
Lewis was a dominant force in the 212 Olympia division during the 2000s, winning seven titles in total. His impressive physique, characterized by hardness and grainy muscle maturity, made him the most successful champion in the division’s history.
Flex Lewis’ Dominance in Bodybuilding
Flex Lewis’ career in the 212 Olympia division was characterized by dominance and success. He won his first title in 2012 and went on to win a total of seven titles, establishing himself as the most successful champion in the division’s history.
Lewis’ physique was impressive, with his hardness and grainy muscle maturity guiding him to victory time and time again. In his final title defense at the 2018 Olympia, he fended off strong competition from top bodybuilders like Derek Lunsford, Kamal Elgargni, and Jose Raymond.
Flex Lewis’ Condition for Possible Return to Bodybuilding
During a recent interview with Steve Kuclo on the Straight Outta the Lair podcast, Flex Lewis teased a potential return to bodybuilding. The athlete revealed that his return to the sport is contingent on one condition – a seven-figure payday.
Lewis’ impressive career in the 212 Olympia division saw him win seven titles in total, cementing his position as the most successful champion in the division’s history. His impressive physique, characterized by hardness and grainy muscle maturity, earned him accolades and recognition from fans and fellow bodybuilders alike.
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Flex Lewis’ Retirement and Possible Comeback to Bodybuilding
Despite fans’ expectations for him to test himself in the Open division, Flex Lewis announced his retirement in May last year, surprising many. Instead, a special invitation was extended to Derek Lunsford for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, where he capitalized on the opportunity and placed as the runner-up to Hadi Choopan.
Since retiring, Lewis has been focused on his health and wellness, sharing updates with his fans on his progress and physique post-bodybuilding. Despite prioritizing his well-being, Lewis recently hinted at a possible comeback to the sport in a social media admission. Although it remains to be seen if this will come to fruition, his fans are excited at the prospect of seeing him compete once again.
Flex Lewis Expresses Willingness to Come Out of Retirement for a Significant Financial Incentive: ‘If There’s a Monetary Draw, I’m All In’
Flex Lewis Reveals Specific Financial Demand for Potential Return to Bodybuilding in 2023
“I don’t know if that’s something [Masters Olympia] that’s been thrown in your face. Obviously, my name has been thrown in the mix this year, and I said, ‘Eh!’ Let me dispel this right now, I’m on my own journey, it’s definitely back to the stage. I said this though, if there was a monetary draw for me – I’m all in. For me, it has to be a seven-figure monetary draw. It has to be because for me to walk away from what I’m doing right now… that’s what my sacrifice is, unfortunately,” said Flex Lewis.
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Steve Kuclo Discusses Bodybuilding’s Mainstream Potential and Lack of Seven-Figure Sponsorships
Men’s Open bodybuilding standout Steve Kuclo recently credited Arnold Schwarzenegger for pushing the sport into the mainstream. However, he also acknowledged that no one has been able to “carry the torch” and secure the massive contracts and sponsorships worth seven figures that are often seen in other professional sports.
Despite this, Kuclo remains optimistic about the future of bodybuilding and believes that the sport has the potential to become more mainstream. He highlighted the efforts of recent champions like Phil Heath and Ronnie Coleman, as well as the increasing popularity of fitness and wellness in society.
“I truly with bodybuilding was as fruitful as many of the other sports in the world like golf and basketball and football. The contracts these guys are getting paid, it’s insane. You know. Yeah, backup quarterback [still gets paid] it doesn’t matter. It’s a shame that the sport never quite got to where it could be. I believe it’s had a lot of great – I mean Arnold was truly one of the greatest pioneers in our sport to take it to more of a public level,” said Steve Kuclo.
“Nobody was ever really able to carry the torch into the realm it could be to potentially be one of the sports that are getting huge contracts for sponsorships and stuff like that, where you’re able to win a show and it’s a seven-figure win for a show or you get seven-figure sponsorships because bodybuilding is if not, one of the hardest sports in the world because it’s 365 24/7 you’re always thinking about what you’re eating and what you’re training.”
Phil Heath and Flex Lewis Discuss Potential Million-Dollar Comebacks in Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding legends Phil Heath and Flex Lewis have both recently expressed interest in a potential comeback to the sport, citing a significant financial incentive as the driving force behind their decisions.
In a recent discussion with athlete representative Bob Cicherillo, seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath stated that a $100,000 prize would not be worth his time, but a $1 million payout could incentivize him to return to either the Masters Olympia or Mr. Olympia.
Similarly, Flex Lewis has also indicated that a seven-figure payday would entice him to come out of retirement and compete in bodybuilding once again. While he has not revealed any specific plans or offers for his return, Lewis has made it clear that he is open to the possibility.
It remains to be seen if any promoters or sponsors will meet the financial demands of these legendary bodybuilders, but their passion for the sport and dedication to their craft is undeniable. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if Heath or Lewis will return to the stage and compete at the highest level once again.
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Overview
Flex Lewis, the retired 212 bodybuilding champion, has hinted at a potential comeback to the sport, but there’s a catch – he’s demanding a seven-figure payout. Lewis was a dominant force in the 212 Olympia division during the 2000s, winning seven titles and earning recognition from fans and fellow bodybuilders alike for his impressive physique. Despite announcing his retirement last year, Lewis recently teased a possible return to the sport on social media. However, he has made it clear that a significant financial incentive is necessary for him to consider returning to competitive bodybuilding. Lewis is not the only bodybuilding legend to express interest in a potential comeback for a seven-figure payday; Phil Heath has also discussed the possibility of returning to either the Masters Olympia or Mr. Olympia for a million-dollar payout.
Featured Image @Flex Lewis (Instagram & YouTube)
