As Derek Lunsford prepares for the Mr. Olympia competition, the two-time champion faces intense criticism. With just under 13 weeks left for the competition, Lunsford is under the radar for all the wrong reasons, with Dennis James calling him the ‘most hated bodybuilder since Phil Heath’.

However, James believes Lunsford is using the negativity and criticism as fuel and motivation. In a YouTube video shared on June 25, James reveals his feelings about the fan backlash Lunsford is facing as he pursues a potential third title.

“I think Derek is at a point in his life right now where this doesn’t bother him no more. I think it fuels him and makes him get better. I think all this negative f****** bullshit people talk about him… and I understand one thing, when you don’t know him and never really talk to him, he can come across as a little arrogant,” James explains, as per Fitness Volt.

James shares his belief about why most people hate the champ. He discussed how people prefer to root for the underdog rather than support a champ to win more titles.

“A lot of people don’t like it. You know how it is nowadays. Everyone wants to see the champ lose," said James via Fitness Volt. "It’s not like you want to support the champ to win another one. Them times are long gone. Everybody is rooting for the underdog, and when the underdog wins, then they start rooting for someone else because you’re already on top.” 

Real fans understand the significance behind James’ comment. It’s worth looking at what made Phil Heath face such heavy criticism during his reign.

What made Phil Heath one of bodybuilding’s most criticized stars

During his seven-year Mr. Olympia reign, Heath became one of the most controversial and criticized bodybuilders in the industry. While many fans believed that his domination simply made competitions boring, others believed that his attitude and nickname, “Dream K*****” was offensive.

By the end of his career, Heath faced intense criticism over his midsection, with fans believing it affected his aesthetic.

“You can have confidence and be loved, you can have too much confidence and be hated. It’s one of those things. Phil should just keep being Phil and keep doing what he does. He shouldn’t focus on not being loved by everybody because that’s where he’s gonna start failing,” said Victor Martinez during an interview with Generation Iron Fitness & Bodybuilding Network on YouTube.

Thankfully, Lunsford is not letting the heat affect his preparations for the 2026 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas from September 24-27.

Do you think Lunsford deserves the hate he is facing from fans? Let us know if you think James’ comparison of him and Heath is on point.

Follow Bodybuilding Bros for all things fitness!

Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi