Samir Bannout vs Mike Mentzer

This is a fan requested comparison between Mike Mentzer and Samir Bannout.

[@therealoorage]

Great vid! Can you do Albert Beckles vs Brutal Bertil Fox next?

[@marxmaxmuscle1]

Next weeks match! Its a great one! gonna be close too.

[@kurtwuttke5787]

Dennis Wolf 2014 Arnold classic vs Shawn Rhoden 2018 Mr. Olympia

[@ericmartinez6692]

Lmafo

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

Samir's moustache edges out Mike's by a whisker.

[@tito16ism]

Can never beat Arab moustache lol

[@gudas930]

Italian Moustache vs Arab Moustache

[@nattybynature1262]

Samir Bannout was an inch shorter but almost 30 pounds lighter, I believe. These two are some of the most balanced bodybuilders we will ever see. True legends.

[@richbrake9910]

No, Samir's competition weight was only 15 pounds lighter than Mike. Very close here.

[@fender1000100]

Mike's 78 crucifix pose when he scored a perfect 300 is the 2nd more impressive pose I ever saw. Only topped by Sergios 1972 victory pose.

[@Naturalhit]

There's a pic of them together. Mike clearly has the mass. Also, Mike retired early just when he was getting better.

[@samb5358]

Yeah maybe Mike could have produced a physique eventually that could beat prime Samir. Samir was so good though so it would have taken alot

[@lionsinofprideescanor8709]

And thats why i was so disappointed at him because he just quit when he should have been fighting back and comes back being a better man.. but then again i guess he must have been so hurt that very day at 1980 Mr. Olympia.. R.I.P to him and his brother..

[@gilmarmirandadossantos6009]

Samir Barnout 1983 version is one the best shape of 80's decade man.

[@Geckoliga]

Absolutely true !!!

[@samraizshoaib585]

@Spectacular Spectacular he said one of not the.

[@spock7of961]

I agree, I believe Samir Bannout is one of the most symmetrical and complete bodybuilders of his time.

[@Poeme340]

Samir’s back double is unbeatable. Mike is much thicker in general but Samir’s conditioning for the ‘83 was ground breaking-quads, abs, triceps, biceps, etc.. He was ready!

[@troynunley8161]

I'm a big Mentzer fan, but you're definitely 👍 right

[@oldassmuscle6680]

Samir in that one in 1983 he brought a conditioning not seen up to that point but he was never able to come close to duplicating it but his 83 physique is one of my all time favorites

[@harrydemkee912]

old ass muscle I met him at a show in 83 he was guest posing at, it was about 5 months prior to the Olympia and not only did his conditioning pop but his quad separation was unheard of for that time, guys just didn’t develop their legs but he brought the full package for sure in 83! I was the typical fan and could barely string 2 words together but he was kind and humble and spent extra time speaking with me, a memory I will always treasure

[@oldassmuscle6680]

@@harrydemkee912 Thanks for sharing that I would of really like to have seen him in person. I remember most the quad separation and I had never seen striated triceps like that up to that point. On that day he was the man!!

[@harrydemkee912]

old ass muscle I was lucky enough to meet Chris Dickerson and Frank Zane at that same show, Chris was very nice and humble like Samir, Zane basically told me to move on if I didn’t have money to buy anything from him. I was a kid in college and lucky I had the price of admission , I vowed then my days as a Zane fan ended on the spot

[@oldassmuscle6680]

@@harrydemkee912 No shit I always heard he was strange and known as a baby.He had a great physique but beating Robby Robinson in the overall? No way!

[@harrydemkee912]

old ass muscle yes an odd guy, I don’t like to judge when hearing something second hand but I experienced it

[@diabolical92]

N e day Mike mentzer for the win!!! Dude was so much ahead of his time had he been not robbed of the title in 80 by Arnold Schwarzenegger don't know where he wud have gone as a bodybuilder!!!

[@chefmastershake]

There is a good reason why one won the Olympia title and the other one didn't. This shows that quite well.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Samir was a package when he was in shape. Aesthetic and powerful.

[@altondunn2667]

Samir...one of my favorites That back holds up today.

[@xaviervega468]

The Mentzer fanboys are delusional Samir wins every pose except maybe the front double bicep.

[@jgamez5023]

I would've been curious to see what Mentzer's back looked like with 3-4 more years of training. He had amazing genetics, it's a shame he stopped competing. I think Mike would've won in 81-82 and perhaps his back would have been ready to challenge Samir's back in 1983.

[@paulcox2447]

No chance in heck

[@quantumpotential7639]

Is the Lebanewe Lion still with us? I saw him on the pedal machine at Gold's Venice back in 1989. He was on the upper deck waving to people when they came in. Just beneath were the Barbarian Brothers, who asked to work in on the seated military. They were like "ok, strip the tens off and load up 3 45s and a quarter on each side and proceeded to rep out behind the neck military presses for 20 reps at 365. I didn't have the heart to say ok, strip off all the plates and put on a five and a ten. So I just sort of observed their sheer power and let them have the honors. They were very friendly and later, I'd bump into them again at an outdoor gym / coffee shop up in Topanga Canyon.

[@GhettoPCbuilds]

He is, look him up on Instagram

[@thebigpicture2032]

Twins yes! They even have the same hair and moustache.

[@robertopics]

Funny thing is that by Larry names Mike is or has Germanic ancestry while Samir is more in the Semitic family yet they do have a similar look although on closer inspection they are very different.

[@البكالوريالكلالشعب]

Two top bodybuilders

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

Conditioning aside, it will come down to 'taste'. Mentzer represents a 'masculine, rugged' build over the 'pretty' lines of Bannout. Both, the best of an incredible era.

[@dubbled7286]

Mike Mentzer brings the views!! 🏆👍🥇

[@IakovosSianoudis]

Mentzer vs Viator, please. Greetings from Greece.

[@Achilles0006]

This would be a good one!

[@kirayoshikage8007]

Probably two of my favorite bodybuilders. Mike had overall better flow and size but Samir had the muscle quality and condition

[@praveenpande4786]

Great comparison between these legends, unfortunately for the great Mentzer there are not too many proper video of pictures for a fair comparison. Samir's back can easily rival even Yates and Ronnie, it was so complete with lat insertions almost to his butt.

[@michealferrell1677]

Samir has one of the best physics in all of bodybuilding

[@talibe801]

Two of the best ever.

[@harrydemkee912]

I actually don’t even call it as close as you with Samir taking it but there is a lot to be admired in Mike’s physique for sure, he just looked powerful but that look didn’t translate into bodybuilding victories on the Olympia stage. I didn’t have the privilege of meeting Mike but I did meet Samir in the early 80’s and he was just a straight up all around nice guy!

[@odessafile75]

I met Samir in the lobby where the 1981 Mr Los Angeles which Bob Paris won was held. I agree Samir was a very friendly, kind , funny guy.

[@harrydemkee912]

odessafile75 I met him around 5 months prior to his Olympia win after guest posing all the pros were in the lobby selling various products. Zane and Dickerson were guest posers as well. This show was in San Jose Ca

[@odessafile75]

@@harrydemkee912 I also met Zane ( 1979 Montreal/1980 Hamilton) and Dickerson ( 1980 Toronto/ 1981 Gold's Gym Venice)

[@harrydemkee912]

odessafile75 I’m not a fan of Zane, I was a poor student in 83 and if I wasn’t buying he didn’t really want to talk, Samir and Dickerson were the total opposite, friendly and talkative and happy to share knowledge, all these years later that still impresses me

[@odessafile75]

@@harrydemkee912 I had the same experience as you with Dickerson and Bannout. Regarding Zane when I met him the first time in 79 in Montreal when he guest posed at the Canadian Championships he was very gracious and encouraging to me a skinny 18 year old at the time. I actually have a photo taken with him and I did not pay him anything nor did he ask me to buy anything. 1 year later I again saw him very briefly when he guest posed at the Canadian Championships in Hamilton. Last year I sent him an email asking if he will be at the Arnold Classic Expo. I received a response from someone who may have been his wife politely advises he will not be there as he was working on a project. Then I started receiving emails from him advertising his products. This was a bit of a surprise and either I unsubscribed or the emails stopped as I did not buy anything. I had planned to go to the Arnold Classic this year and again sent Frank an email asking if he was attending and received a 1 word reply " No!". I thought he or his wife/ assistant could have least given a longer response and perhaps thanked me for my interest. I have read a number of comments in youtube in recent years speaking to similar experiences as you where Zane and/ or his assistant/ bodyguard were less than friendly and only concerned with people buying product. I met him when he was at the top of the world as the reigning Mr. Mr. Olympia. I get the impression that as he aged he became a bit cantankerous and perhaps frustrated which can happen in one's older years especially if there are health issues.

[@darthbargas]

Samir all the way. So aesthetic, so conditioned. I think the only body part that Mike had better was his really thick triceps. Biceps are close but Samir had that cool looking split on them, plus his look so good and ripped on the crucifix pose. Back on Samir so dominate, what thickness and separation, well ahead of his time. I don't wanna even start on his Christmas Tree!

[@TexasGuitarist]

Good one, bro! Samir is one of my favorites.

[@josephrock8739]

Columbo vs Padilla 81

[@samyj78]

If I have to choose a body to wish for in real life, it would be Mike's. Rugged, muscular, yet not freaky. I love both ,though. Two of the most perfect and complete bodies.

[@drbonesshow1]

The two were actually friends. Bannout would introduce the Christmas tree back. Mike's forearms were as good as those of Casey Viator who would continue competing after Mike left in 1980 (bogus 1980 Mr. Olympia and again in 1981).

[@Srbenda126]

I thought Samir would destroy Mike, but it was close. Samir was Perfect, but he had freakishly short torso and low lats. His siluette was non existant and that hurt him very much

[@farazalikhan5242]

Samir Bannout lower lat insertions are soo low, back is complete and look at those calves man, amazing conditioning

[@IronWarrior86]

Mike got that rugged Herculean look thanks to his very Mesomorphic body type. Samir on the other hand got more aesthetic lines particularly in the upper body. Weight wise Mike was about 20lbs heavier. He weighed 220-225lbs for the 78-80 Olympias. Samir competed at 200-205 in the early to mid 80s. They had the same height.

[@odessafile75]

I agree with your analysis. I think Mentzer may have weighed a little less than 220-225 when he competed at the 1979/ 1980 Olympia.

[@IronWarrior86]

@@odessafile75 Yeah he might have been closer to 215 for the 80 Olympia. For sure he was more depleted but more ripped than previous years.

[@paulcox2447]

Samir is too balanced for him and has better shape.

[@leviefrauim1425]

Both great ones, fantastic physiques on both, similar size/weight/height. Mentzer, IMHO, was exceptionally thick at that time and by all reports, amazingly strong. Bannout had 'the lines' tho, a very balanced physique.

[@blackforest270]

Both are great, I just like the overall shape of Mike better.

[@itsgleneaton4883]

They look like twins.

[@johnjohnson9567]

Great vid Marx, but you forgot the last, potential most crucial comparison... the mustache pose!

[@ramayudhistira6766]

Mentzer is quite unique in relation to his waistline...I am a huge Mentzer fan but he certainly was one of the earlier examples of the "bubble gut". However, he had enough control of his waistline also to strike incredible vacuum poses. The issue is he wasn't able to control his waistline throughout most of the duration of the contest (which was no doubt very difficult to do).

[@johnstanis781]

Samir on aesthetics

[@philliplabuschagne5508]

Samir is my best mr Olympia of all time. His lines his back, I really like his look and he still has a six pack today and in great shape. So he is a true mr Olympia and the image of bodybuilding. Not like Shaun Ray one of the greates physiques of all time but today 🤦 Thanks for the great video's

[@weotalks2810]

Samir TRICEPS UNBELIEVABLE

[@anthonygonzalez5608]

I always liked Mike Mentzer, but in the comparison Samir is the top dog.

[@malibustacy3606]

Mike's looking harder, as in a little more dense.

[@TheChismFamily]

Samir looks better, he was perfectly balanced, including posing, everything developed including calves. Mike had thicker upper body but not enough IMO.

[@lesroisdukungfu6859]

Next? Dustin Hoffman vs Vic Richards.

[@charleshendrix232]

Banout clearly looks better to me especially his back .

[@kirayoshikage8007]

Really would of loved to see Mike keep training he had the genetics to be the champ one day but I get why he quit

[@البكالوريالكلالشعب]

Robbed Olympia 1980 n'y arnold. This is the reason

[@morningmidnight9398]

I am surprised by how similar they are

[@jaspreetSingh-kf7fo]

Well I don't think Mike got any chance against Samir of 1983 in hell ,Mike was never a top guy but Samir was the best in 1980s segment as whole ,his 1983 package was best in whole 1980s and nobody stands a chance against that Samir of 83

[@AngelOliva302]

Mentzer wins!

[@raindoset5408]

Greatest moustaches in bodybuilding

[@morphmongal320]

Samir is a fucking legend mentored is nothing compared to him apparently 😂😂😂😂😂

[@VinchenzoC]

Guessing this is a waste since Samir will crush him. Samir's my favorite Mr. Olympia physique.

[@luizcarlosd.dasilva1168]

The two bodybuilders are handsome and very sexy. I love both, Samir Bannout, Mike Mentzer.

[@kevgh3869]

Hey Marx, where in Canada are you from? Sounds like the east coast.

[@ericbutton222]

What do you mean structurally the same?? Mentzers waist is much smaller

[@guillermomelametz6595]

Samir era espectacular y aun hoy a sus 60 luce muy bien Saludos

[@rickgarcia8481]

The back shot ended this comparison.. It was a blowout. Mike looks weak in that shot.

[@marcusroemlinghoven6854]

Samir is a real Mr O.

[@richbrake9910]

Bannout gets the nod based on leg and back development. I remember in 1977 when Samir (call me Sam) Bannout trained in a gym I went to for while in Detroit, Mi. He was not as big as Gary Goss and some of the others, but he was definitely the most impressive.

[@derpfrog5625]

Great comparison.

[@steveframe4802]

Two arm dominant pros separated by Samir's chest. Mike may edge the free posing.

[@joemajor2553]

I’d give Samir all of them except front double and side chest. His back shots destroy mike, side shots are closer, and he takes the ab/thigh and MM pretty handily. I think if mike kept competing and improving, it would be even more interesting.

[@केवड़ाठाकुरSonofRajputana]

Lee priest vs phill heath

[@iseehowitis9382]

Battle of the mustaches

[@dspada67]

Samir all the way for me bro, even the quads and calves. Ciao

[@lawrencerobinson9870]

They look like they could’ve been twins

[@davidward5225]

Samir all the way

[@nishanthsurendran7721]

Battle of the moustaches.

[@troynunley8161]

Same height, same weight...same mustache 🤣😂🤣

[@MrShahrozzz]

2020 AC(finals) Big Ramy vs 2003 Ronnie Coleman

[@nickbritten8132]

3:15 - Samir’s delt looks surprisingly small.

[@alhassanait1749]

Samir is more Wide from the shoulders makes him more appealing ...

[@msza10]

Very very similar even with the classic Moustache

[@joubert3369]

Difficult one...Mike never reached his prime. He had all the muscles: forearms, calves, tríceps, shoulders, etc. He needed a little bit of evolution. But his muscular density was out of this world. Is the type of body I like. Samir on the other side looked great, amazing back. He was a modern bodybuilder, more evolutioned. But I don't like his body. His waist was huge and his torso is strangely small. His muscles looked soft compared to Mike.

[@thomasdietz579]

Samir was always holding water.. Mentzer was more af a symetrical mass monster... And if you know anything about bodybuilding everyone knows that Menter had a "weak" chest

[@xaviervega468]

Samir kills him from the back as well.

[@kombasanpracka]

Propaaah decision! Now Danny Padilla vs Tom Platz pls.

[@lawrencerobinson9870]

They look like they could seriously be brothers seriously

[@lionsinofprideescanor8709]

4:32 Samir's back development and his calves was really good in that picture.. his tricep was good but got overshadowed by his biceps though..

[@morphmongal320]

Side chest Samir all the flipping way those muscle bellies baby pleasee

[@PaulMichaelLevesque69]

Imagine IF Mike wasn't retired after 80 Olympia and still continuing his career.. this battle with Samir Bannout was inevitable. And of course he will lose too in 81 for Arnold's best friend, Franco Columbu make his return to the stage. There will be a great battle of him, Samir and Dickerson if he still "on his path". But it is what it is and everything in the past.

[@MIK23458]

Lee Haney v Mike Christian.

[@doosian76]

I found pictures from when Mike did the perfect show and the back was better than samir and he was overall better , insane he would win as a classic bb with that shape he had . He was alot better than the pictures trust me ive trained with his neighbour and mike was a beast at his best. Samir would not stand a chance in hell and today with his work etic and frame he would have been unreal

[@gustave9744]

Show me the show then hahaha no way mentzer had a better bad then Samir

[@AirBuddDwyer]

@@gustave9744 Yeah this dude is just creaming himself over a guy he has a weak connection to. He's never seen Samir in person but has ruled out the possibility that he too might also look way better than in photos, and even if Samir did his confirmation bias would pretend otherwise because he trained with Mike Metzger's neighbor. Samir has the greatest back in history no contest (at least so far anyway)

[@84Terminator]

Mentzer is my favorite when it comes to personality, but physique wise I think Samir is unbeatable.

[@billmagorian490]

I see a pattern in your comparisons. Too often they are not from the same angle even if they are the same pose. Second the quality of the photographs are not equal. If you can't find quality photos of comprable quality don't post comparisons

[@TheSacred55]

Are you sure these two weren't brothers from another mother. Both were the sultans of symmetry - good battle

[@pontypresley3711]

Samir wins on the moustache

[@michaelriley8966]

Very good matchup Even down to the tache

[@aky19832001]

If your complete from head to toe In a rear double bi, it's pretty much a wrap.

[@baasemqunaibi2472]

Samir

[@sbsb4995]

Lets not forget Ahmad haidar.

[@MsPickles1964]

Dude, I have been bodybuilding since 1978.Are you really casting opinion on something you literally know nothing about? Just going by pictures that you could conjure up on the internet. I have been following bodybuilding since long before then. And still follow it so close that I would almost say religiously to this day. I can basically consider myself a bodybuilding historian. Are you really serious? You are doing these reviews... based solely on photographs and videos you pull up from the internet????

[@masiausuahusuha8671]

Easy win for Samir, I mean look at that back, that alone gives him the win. Mentzer doesn’t have that thickness

[@lloydkline1518]

Larry scott 1966 mr olympia vs sergio oliva mr olympia 1967

[@Tristan_00715]

Ahahahahaa I thought they we're the same person

[@88KUNGFUMAN]

Mentzer had an unusual back. His traps almost seemed like they were torn or incomplete..sort of like Boyers abs.

[@mikeolson5986]

Pat Samir !

[@MMAoracle]

Samir Bannout has the third best back of all time, after Dorian and Ronnie

[@mossimmo1271]

Samir had a better back than Ronnie.

[@MMAoracle]

I dont know about that…

[@mossimmo1271]

@@MMAoracle I do, so get over it.

[@MrAvitom]

Mike Mentzer has it....

[@gustave9744]

No he doesn't, both back poses + A&T+ FLS is 4/7 game over for mentzer. Even the side chest/tri is debatable for Samir.