Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, the former two-time Mr. Olympia champion, has announced that there’s an 80% chance he’ll make a comeback at the 2025 Mr. Olympia competition, set to take place from October 9 to 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After months of silence, Big Ramy finally broke his silence on April 15, 2025, hinting that he is closer than ever to stepping back onto the world’s biggest bodybuilding stage.
His statement sent shockwaves through the bodybuilding community, with fans and competitors alike buzzing at the thought of the Egyptian mass monster returning to battle once more.
His Last Appearance and the Shift in the Division
Big Ramy hasn’t competed since his fourth-place finish at the 2023 Arnold Classic, where he faced an intense lineup that included Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and Nick Walker.
Since his reign as Olympia champion in 2020 and 2021, the Men’s Open division has witnessed a changing of the guard.
Hadi Choopan claimed the Sandow in 2022, followed by Derek Lunsford in 2023, and most recently, Samson Dauda captured the coveted title in 2024.
Each year brought a new champion, creating an electric and unpredictable dynamic in the division, but none have yet commanded the dominance Big Ramy once held.
Physical Setbacks and the Road to Recovery
Still, his absence hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Criticism began surfacing after his last Olympia showing, with judges pointing out a decline in certain areas of his physique.
Notably, head judge Steve Weinberger commented on the deterioration in his lat and tricep definition — both crucial for the symmetrical and complete look required to dominate on stage.
In response, Big Ramy took his recovery seriously and has since undergone stem cell therapy to address these muscular issues and restore his iconic size and density.
The treatment appears to be paying off, as he now says he’s fixed many of his physical problems and is feeling more confident about his potential return.
Ramy Speaks: “I’ll Try, I’ll Try”
In a recent Instagram video, Big Ramy laid it all out for fans, showing both his passion and his careful approach.
“I’m trying my best to be back, but I need to come back without an issue. That’s my goal,” he explained.
He emphasized that a half-hearted return is not in the cards, stating, “I need to get back onstage, I need to be stronger than before. If I can’t come back with what I need, I don’t like to go onstage anymore.”
But that doesn’t mean he’s backing down.
In fact, he was bold enough to put a number on it, saying, “I can’t say 100%, but I can say 80%, I will be back onstage this year. I’ll try, I’ll try.”
The statement left fans filled with hope and excitement — because even an 80% chance means a serious possibility of seeing one of the sport’s most legendary figures make a thunderous return.
History Awaits If Ramy Returns
Should Big Ramy make it to the 2025 Mr. Olympia and somehow reclaim the title, it would be one of the most historic comebacks in bodybuilding history.
Only one man — Jay Cutler — has ever managed to regain the Olympia title after losing it, and Big Ramy could become just the second to achieve that incredible feat.
With less than six months to go until the contest, Ramy still has a valuable window of time to fine-tune his physique, dial in his conditioning, and bring back the version of himself that once ruled the sport.
He still carries massive size, a stage presence unlike any other, and the competitive fire that fueled his previous victories.
The Fans Are Ready, The Stage Is Set
And with today’s Open class stacked with fierce competitors like Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, Nick Walker, and reigning champ Samson Dauda, Ramy’s potential comeback could add a whole new layer of intensity and unpredictability to this year’s showdown.
Whether he steps back on stage or not, one thing is clear — Big Ramy is not done chasing greatness.
His hunger to return stronger than ever is real, and fans around the world are waiting with bated breath to see if he can rise once again and etch his name into the history books.