Victor Martinez reacts to the controversy surrounding Hadi Choopan and his entrance into the 2026 Arnold Classic
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, bodybuilding legend Victor Martinez covers a wide range of topics – from Jake Paul’s controversial comments about Bad Bunny to fan questions about steroids, training myths, and predictions for the upcoming Arnold Classic, the episode covered plenty of ground. Most notably, Victor Martinez defends Hadi Choopan after he received much criticism regarding his alleged stance on the Iran government.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics discussed this week:
- Jake Paul slams Bad Bunny – should he get slammed back?
- Revisiting steroid use and night urination – was Victor Martinez wrong?
- Victor answers: how old is too old to start using steroids?
- Does Victor masturbate or have sex before a workout?
- What does the future hold for Berhouz Tabani?
- Victor defends Hadi Choopan after much controversy regarding the Iranian genocide
- Who is Victor Martinez most excited to see at the 2026 Arnold Classic?
You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of the entire discussion. Let’s dive in!
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Super Bowl Talk and Jake Paul’s Bad Bunny Comments
The episode opened with some light discussion around the Super Bowl before quickly shifting to a moment that had clearly irritated Victor Martinez. The hosts addressed Jake Paul’s recent comments about Bad Bunny, where Paul referred to the global music star as a “fake American.”
Victor defended Bad Bunny strongly, pointing out the obvious irony of Jake Paul making such a statement while living in Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny is an actual native Puerto Rican, deeply connected to the island’s culture, language, and people. For Victor, the comment crossed a line.
“You cannot live there and talk that stupid nonsense,” Martinez said, clearly frustrated.
Victor went on to explain that comments like these are part of a larger pattern where people profit from division. Whether it’s social media personalities stirring controversy or public figures making inflammatory statements, Victor believes outrage has become a business model. He tries to stay out of drama whenever possible, but he acknowledged that some remarks are too ignorant to ignore.
Masteron and Nighttime Urination
One fan comment sparked an unexpected discussion when a listener claimed that Masteron (an anabolic steroid) increases urination at night and questioned how Victor could be unaware of this side effect. Referencing Victor’s statements from a previous episode.
Victor Martinez responded calmly, emphasizing something he has said many times over the years: no two people react the same way to drugs.
He explained that while increased urination could absolutely be a side effect of Masteron for some users, he is not a doctor and cannot speak in absolutes. Different substances, dosages, and individual physiology all play a role. What affects one person may not affect another at all.
Victor also clarified that the fan question he answered in the previous episode did not specify Masteron. The individual simply said he was “taking juice,” which could mean any number of compounds.
Martinez stressed that powerful drugs like anabolic steroids come with a wide range of side effects, and those effects vary significantly depending on the substance and the person using it. This is why blanket statements about steroids often miss the bigger picture.
Is 35 Too Old to Start Juicing?
A more serious fan question followed, asking whether 35 years old is too old to start using steroids. Victor Martinez offered a nuanced response that reflected both experience and caution.
Victor stated clearly that starting steroids at 35 is far better than starting at 21. According to Martinez, too many young lifters jump into performance-enhancing drugs before they’ve explored their natural potential. This creates unrealistic expectations and a distorted mindset, especially for those who never learned how far discipline, nutrition, and training alone can take them.
Starting young also increases long-term health risks. The earlier someone begins using steroids, the longer they are likely to stay on them, increasing the cumulative strain on the body.
Victor then laid out three critical points for anyone considering steroids or PEDs:
- Using steroids recreationally for sport is illegal.
- Steroid use is dangerous even when done “properly.”
- Bloodwork is essential to understand current health and assess risks.
Victor strongly encouraged people to avoid juicing if possible. In his experience, steroid use often becomes a spiral where one drug leads to another, and the risks compound over time.
RELATED: Bodybuilders Are Dying – An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PEDs
Does Masturbating Before a Workout Increase Strength?
One of the more unusual topics of the episode revolved around whether masturbating before a workout can provide a strength boost.
Victor Martinez admitted he has never masturbated before training, but he has had sex before a workout. In his experience, it did not help performance. In fact, he felt more depleted and noticed a drop in strength, particularly when bench pressing.
That said, Victor acknowledged that this could vary from person to person. He believes the effect is likely psychological and tied to an individual’s relationship with sex and sexual release.
For some people, releasing tension may help focus. For others, it may drain energy and reduce intensity. Victor doesn’t believe it actually makes someone physically stronger, but it could alter mindset in a way that helps or hurts performance depending on the individual.
Behrouz Tabani Physique Update and Iranian Bodybuilding
The conversation shifted back to bodybuilding when the hosts discussed coach Milos Sarcev sharing a physique update of Behrouz Tabani, five months after his Olympia debut.
Victor Martinez was impressed with what he saw. He believes Behrouz has a very bright future and expects him to place higher in future competitions. The progress shown in the update confirmed that Tabani is still improving, and Victor is excited to see how he develops over the coming years.
Since Behrouz is from Iran and has spoken openly about injustices in his country, the discussion naturally led to Hadi Choopan and the ongoing controversy surrounding his perceived political stance.
The Hadi Choopan Controversy
Many fans have called for Hadi Choopan to be removed from the Arnold Classic, accusing him of supporting the Iranian government amid reports of genocide, oppression, and internet blackouts. Victor Martinez addressed the situation carefully.
From his perspective, Hadi Choopan has not spoken in support of the Iranian government. He has largely remained silent. While Victor understands why people from Iran are demanding more accountability from athletes with a global platform, he also pointed out the reality of Hadi’s situation.
Hadi has family in Iran. Speaking out publicly could put both his life and his family’s lives in serious danger. Victor emphasized that it’s easy to demand activism from the safety of other countries, but the consequences for someone still tied to Iran are severe and potentially fatal.
The discussion highlighted the complexity of expecting political statements from athletes who may face extreme retaliation.
2026 Arnold Classic Predictions: Who Is Victor Most Excited For?
With the 2026 Arnold Classic just weeks away, the hosts closed the episode by discussing predictions and standout competitors.
Victor Martinez believes the lineup is stacked and expects a very close competition. He noted that Hadi Choopan looked incredible at the 2025 Mr. Olympia and came within inches of winning. Based on that performance, Hadi could absolutely take the 2026 Arnold Classic.
However, Andrew Jacked is a serious threat. Victor praised Andrew’s steady improvement each year and his impressive showing at the 2025 Olympia. If that upward trajectory continues, Andrew Jacked could give Hadi real competition on the Arnold stage.
What about Nick Walker?
Victor admitted it’s difficult to predict. Nick Walker’s inconsistency makes it hard to know which version will show up. If Nick arrives fully dialed in, he has the potential to dominate the lineup. But with uncertainties like coaching himself for the first time, Victor believes it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast showcased why Victor Martinez remains one of the most respected voices in bodybuilding. Whether discussing pop culture controversy, steroid education, athlete safety, or elite competition predictions, Victor consistently brought balance, honesty, and real-world experience to the conversation.
For fans of bodybuilding, fitness culture, and unfiltered discussion, this episode delivered insight without hype and perspective without sensationalism.
