He said that his “good” arm measure 21 inches and his “bad” arm – his left, which he had recent surgery on – is 21 inches. Not too bad for a guy who stands at 5’4″. On a video on MD.com, Priest commented that the 202 is all about conditioning and that he had won shows in the past at 199 and 198 pounds.

He also called himself a “rebel” and a “loose cannon,” as well as a “guy who speaks his mind.” That is the Priest that bodybuilding fans have come to love and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“With Infinite Labs an MD behind me, you’re  going to see on hell of a comeback,” Priest commented on the video clip.

Priest, when in condition, is one of the most impressive bodybuilders on the circuit. Because of his short stature, he appears huge and should be the widest person on stage in the 202. The mass that he possesses is amazing and he also has a small waist to give him a great look.

You can view the long layoff in two ways: that it will be too long for him to get back into the swing of things or that his body is well rested from not having to go through the dieting process for what is going to be eight years. Figure on a little bit of each being reality and Priest may need a few contests to reach his full potential once again.

Here’s a vote of confidence that by the third time out, Priest, 38, will dominate the 202 class. Hopefully he competes in a show or two as a warm-up and qualify for the Olympia, where he may just have enough to dethrone English and take his place at the top.

LEE PRIEST CONTEST HISTORY:

2006 PDI Night of Champions Britain, 8th

2006 PDI Night of Champions, 9th

2006 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 2nd

2006 IFBB Arnold Classic, 6th

2006 IFBB Ironman Pro, 1st

2005 IFBB Iron Man Pro Invitational, 2nd

2005 IFBB Arnold Classic, 4th

2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 7th

2004 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd

2004 IFBB Ironman Pro, 2nd

2003 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 15th

• 2002 Mr. Olympia – 6th
• 2002 San Francisco Pro Invitational – 1st
• 2002 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 1st
• 2002 IFBB Arnold Classic – 4th
• 2002 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 2nd
• 2001 Ironman 7th, after bad virus

• 2000 Mr. Olympia 6th Place
• 2000 Night of Champions 5th Place Night of Fixes
• 1999 Ironman 6th Place
• 1999 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 9th
• 1999 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1998 Olympia – IFBB, 7th
• 1997 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1997 Olympia – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
• 1997 Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Finland – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix England – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Grand Prix Czech Republic – IFBB, 5th
• 1997 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1996 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 South Beach Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd
• 1995 Florida Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 9th
• 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 7th

• 1994 Night of Champions – IFBB, 12th
• 1994 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1994 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1993 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational – IFBB, 9th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, LightWeight,4th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, 4th
• 1990 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner
• 1989 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner

Called the MD Block Party, Bob Bonham’s Strong and Shapely Gym was transformed into a mini-expo and barbeque. Turkey burgers and turkey hot dogs were on the grill in the parking lot all day long and the line to get some grub was omnipresent.

It was a double-celebration with the mecca of the Garden State celebrating its 25th anniversary.

‘The Ramblin’ Freak’ himself, Gregg Valentino, was all over the place and conducted a boatload of interviews with what seemed like everyone there. He also was the host of a seminar with  a panel of Lee Priest, Guy Cisternino, Eugene Mishin and rapper Mellie Mel, who sported some nice guns and takes his training as serious as his music.

In the photo, MuscleSport Mag Founding Editor with Gregg Valentino.

http://mdtv.musculardevelopment.com/content/view/2065/225/ – Part One of the Video

http://mdtv.musculardevelopment.com/…view/2071/225/ – Part Two of the Video

After battling for nearly three years to be reinstated by the IFBB, Lee Priest has decided to make his return to the stage at the Australian and New Zealand Pros instead of the Arnold Classic. That may come as a surprise to some people, since all three shows are within a week of one another and the Arnold is viewed as the next big thing after the Mr. Olympia contest.

Last year, Dexter Jackson scored a hat trick of all three shows in March and then topped it by also taking the Mr. O title. While this is not a scenario that Priest would be able to duplicate, the Arnold show is held in a much higher regard than either overseas shows. Being from Australia, perhaps Priest feels that his best chance at taking one of the championships – or at least placing in the top three for Olympia qualification purposes – is with minimal travel.

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According to a report on Muscular Development.com, Priest chose to stay away from Ohio for travel reasons. “I don’t want to fly all the way to the U.S. to do the Arnold only to have to turn around and come right back six days later.”

While this strategy may make sense, concentrating on the Arnold Classic may have gone a longer way than two shows not as prestigious.