Iain Valliere and Milos Sarcev got into it over social media.
The NY Pro has come and gone this past weekend. Iain Valliere was declared the winner after battling back tough challengers including the impressive Maxx Charles.
While many think Valliere deserved the victory, there have been a contingent of individuals who think otherwise. Unable to fully enjoy his victory after the social media backlash, Valliere had a few choice words for his critics.
It’s tough to wake up after a win that should be the highlight of my bodybuilding career to so much negativity in the comments about the show. It’s easy for people to say “who cares what they say” or “you’re above that don’t listen to these keyboard warriors” but when you work for over a decade and finally achieve a win as prestigious as the New York pro, you really hope to be able to revel in it.
It seems like no matter what I do I’m doing something wrong in the eyes of the social media world. According to it in 2018 I was being overlooked, and now that I’m improved and placing higher, I don’t deserve it?
At the end of the day I have full faith in the judges and the IFBB Pro league who are there 10 feet away, do this professionally, and are much better versed in the criteria they are looking for than those on Instagram. I take their critiques and try and apply them to each and every show. I know everyone is entitled to their opinions and I respect that wholeheartedly, but I can’t lie and say that reading the comments doesn’t hurt.
Either way I’m extremely proud and thankful for what I accomplished last night and I can’t wait to take these most recent feedback and apply them for the Olympia.
And here is some shots to show that some crappy IG pics don’t always show the whole story lol.
But it appears that not only have fans been critical of Iain Valliere, but a veteran bodybuilder as well. Milos Sarcev, coach of Maxx Charles, had a lot to say about Iain Valliere and his NY Pro victory. Namely, Sarcev believed Charles should have placed higher.
After Milos Sarcev’s post, Iain Valliere weighed in. What followed was the two bodybuilders clashing over the disputed win.
Iain Valliere: “@milossarcev I think maxx looks better in a few for sure, definitely beats me in abs and thighs ??♂️. but not nearly enough to beat me in a show. I just can see your intention despite what you pretend to intend.”
Milos Sarcev: “@iainvalliere well…we agree in one thing – this is pointless…And, sadly you don’t believe me anyway… OK… I think I respected you enough answering ALL your questions…repeatedly…(unless I missed some…as there are too many). You probably understand- I didn’t have to…I could just ignore you and mind my own business, not investing my time in something as futile as this…In closing: I only posted comparisons pictures WITHOUT EVER COMMENTING them and saying who should have beaten who… You did – by saying I shouldn’t put any photos of comparisons…as that is disrespectful to you ? (why? – you think Maxx looks better in these?)”
I: “@milossarcev I don’t think everyone is against my btw, I think you are, and you’re trying to push that onto everyone else.”
I: @milossarcev ofcourse I think you would, just as I would. I don’t feel any hostility towards you. Just disrespected that’s all. I’m not 18 lmao. God this gets more immature as we go. You’re clearly misinterpreting my tone, that’s fine though. Anyways this is really a pointless conversation. You think maxx should have placed higher, I disagree, you could have displayed that in a more respectful manor in my opinion, but you’ll say you weren’t intending to disrespect anyone so it’s really moot moot point cause I don’t really believe you anymore anyways ??♂️”
M: “@iainvalliere – well, I have one face, one mind and one mouth. Everything you’ll hear will always be the same – my opinion. Like I said earlier – don’t confuse the meanings of what I said…there is a distinctive difference. And, besides…you think I am hiding in Cyber world and would not have this same conversation if you stand in front of me?”
M: “@iainvalliere – here we go again… I posted this video as someone else made it – @nicksstrengthpower …And as you noticed – he even said himself – that he doesn’t think Maxx should have beat you…I would love if someone would make a video of myself – like Nick…with his YouTube popularity and say how much I sucked when I competed….Tear me apart…if he would want… You think that would bother me a slightest little bit? Someone actually spending time on me and making a video – is something to be grateful for… I just saw it…and thought it was great to share it. Really, really, really – BREATH… and stop thinking everyone (especially me) is against you. I love John Jones and I am huge fan of his – but I would tell him – he lost his last fight against Reyes even though judges gave him a victory. You think I would be “hating on him”?”
M: @iainvalliere – well…if I understand you correctly: you are saying I didn’t suppose to post comparison photos from the show?!?!? ? For the love of God!!! As a fan of bodybuilding I love to see as many comparisons shots from as many shows throughout the years. Putting comparisons doesn’t mean a thing…other than – letting fans enjoy them, true fans appreciate them and real bodybuilding enthusiast and analyst – analyze them. By posting my pictures with Ronnie, Flex, Chris, Nasser…etc…from my shows – am I insinuating they shouldn’t have beat me? It’s a piece of bodybuilding history. Like this show was/is. When I post pics from the only show I won (Canada Pro 1997) with @_chriscormier and Mike Matarazzo – am I putting myself in trouble as some fans would say – I dint deserve it? And – should I be offended if they do? Just couple of dats ago Chris posted on his IG page my posing routine from that very show I beat him – and commented how great I look. So – once and for all accept that my posts have NOTHING to do trying to discredit you. And yes…you are right also about tan, lighter skin…and everything you mentioned…”
I: “@milossarcev I’m not intending to “call you out” I’m strictly trying to defend myself in what feels like a blatant attack directed toward me and me alone, as your second post clearly dictates.
The fans also CANNOT get even remotely good idea of the reality of the show from these photos. I’m the lightest skin guy on stage, and as you know In photos (especially low quality ones) lighter skin looks more washed out and less detailed, whereas darker skin will still show more detail. In the HD pics I posted I look entirely different and it speaks an entirely different story. I’m clearly a very anxious person as both Tampa and this show have made obvious to a lot of people, so it’s hard for me to just let this sit when I clearly should. For that I apologize because this is your post and I don’t need to be bombarding it with debate. I still just don’t understand the purpose and I myself would never go post comparisons of myself to try and gain favour after the fact in a show I lost. Portugal last year prime example. Mohamed clearly shouldn’t have won, Lukas clearly won the show and I was a 2nd or even 3rd behind Florian who was 4th and I never once posted pictures of Mohamed next to me in an attempt to gain favour or bring him down. It’s just unnecessary. Maxx can display his physique on stage and win shows if he’s capable, Instagram pictures are irrelevant.”M: @iainvalliere – so once again, if you believe me – I didn’t have ANY BAD INTENTIONS towards you or trying to discredit your victory. It was simple post that should actually be interesting for fans to get involved and judge by the pictures they see…And, quite honestly – I would need to study them more to really say who would I put 1-2-3-4… For me there would be no problem any of you guys (You, Justin, Hasan or Max) winning…Implementation of different criteria would possibly have all of you guys good choices to be called winners. You won, by 1 point short of perfect score – so 5 trained professional judges saw you to be the best. Take that, cherish it…and DON’T BE BOTHERED what others say. …I am just a stubborn Capricorn that always, always, ALWAYS have to respond if someone calls me out..”
I: @milossarcev I have an EXTREMELY hard time finding that even remotely true when you follow that up by posting a thumbnail to a @nicksstrengthpower video that looks like it’s in Max’s favour when he himself in the video says I deserved to beat maxx. But that’s not the narrative you’re intending to tell by posting the thumbnail that it’s obviously click-bait and that’s fine I understand how YouTube works. You’re trying to say maxx should have beaten me, and that’s quite obvious. I do believe in the finals Justin could certainly have beaten me as I said, but it wasn’t enough after his position from prejudge. I absolutely understand everyone is entitled to their opinions and I have no issue with that, but it seems you’re intentionally going out of your way to bring me down to boost maxx up and I neither appreciate or respect that.”
M: @iainvalliere Ian- I am sorry that I did upset you…but my character is to ALWAYS respond. I never back down from being “put on the spot” as I always mean well and speak the truth. I advised you to really enjoy your victory and not to be bothered what others say. For sure you didn’t get the gift…Judges saw you a winner and they awarded you. And there are many arguments that you deserved it. Just “rewind the film” and realize – you started posting under the thread PREJUDGING COMPARISONS – where I just posted all the pics I found on that NPC news online website. I did not SELECT favorable pics – I took them all and posted as many as they would fit on 10 picture IG limit (all in layout form 2-4 pictures at the time). With that I did not try to discredit you, say that you didn’t deserve to win…or that Max should have won. There are arguments that You, Justin, Hasan and Max could have won (I would certainly not put John in a mix, even though others do)… What would you say if judges awarded someone else? It is subjective sport and it is really matter of opinion…Look, there is zero doubt for me that you are super nice guy and you confirmed that by statement- you want everyone to like you and I am sure you are trying to be nice guy – so everyone will. I command you for it. I liked you since the first time I saw you…and respected you as competitor too – bluntly saying you should have won that show in Indianapolis. And, as you know you were not my athlete and I was not bitching to judges they robbed my athlete…So, that should also tell you something about me. I am opinionated and never afraid to express my opinion. Understand that this whole mess we created was – you over-reacting and taking it personal, when I simply just posted comparison pics for people to see. Many feel the way I do – that Max was shafted again…It has nothing to do that he is my athlete….”
I: “@milossarcev the two faced-ness of this industry ceases to amaze me.”
I: “@milossarcev I am upset, I’m one of the type of people that wants everyone to like me, and that’s a flaw, yes. You’re right I shouldn’t give this the time of day, but you’re someone I’ve always looked up to and really liked and it’s upsetting to see these attempts to denounce me and my win or any other other competitors placings. I don’t need you to go easy on me, there’s nothing I’ve done against you or maxx or any other bodybuilder in this show personally. I didn’t judge the show, I’m not friends with any of judges. If you have something to say to me say it, not sure what you think you’re holding back on. And Chris as asshole, and I’d say that to his face. I just don’t understand the purpose of what you’re trying to do? I’ve never once complained or tried to denounce any other bodybuilders when I didn’t win a show, and I’ve done 16-18 pro shows in 5 years and lost all but 2. I never once complained, posted pics where I looked better than guys ahead of me (where there was plenty in many cases) it’s just silly and immature and looks bad on you really”
M: “@iainvalliere ??? man – tell @ptuor to up your anti-estrogens…your emotions are raging… You are the winner. Enjoy victory and like you suggested – don’t give me (or others) time of the day…I can do this for days…and trust me – I am going easy on you and staying polite…I am not sure if @_chriscormier will be the same…considering you called him an asshole ?”
I: @milossarcev why do you think maxx placed 8/13 at the Arnold being the 2nd leanest guy in the show (next to Morgan) you think someone has it out for maxx? You’re not that naive are you? Do you not realize the imbalances draw him down and conditioning only takes you so far? I’ve been as lean or leaner than maxx’s leanest appearances and placed low, it isn’t just a conditioning contest. And I’ll take my shallow chest on a front double over no quads in front double, front lat, abs and thighs, most muscular…”
I: “@milossarcev hard too when sore losers like you are putting it into question over a guy not even in the top 4 lol”
I: “@milossarcev welll then you have 50x more than maxx, so it really says something about his legs that his 56 year old retired coach who doesn’t train for shows has 50x more separation than he does. Thanks for proving my point ?”
M: “@iainvalliere I have more than you now at age of 56 – without training for contest”
M: “@iainvalliere that’s commendable… Maxx had to go to friends basement as he didn’t have it in his own house… ?”
I: “@milossarcev mine isn’t in my house either, it’s in a friends. But that is also completely irrelevant and changes nothing as to why he has no legs at 40 years old”
I: “@milossarcev I have more separation in my quads in my offseason”
I: “@milossarcev quads are part of the front double, maxx had worse quads than guys in the last callout”
M: “@iainvalliere – care to measure and compare circumference of your and Maxes legs… both upper and lower?”
I: “@milossarcev sure, but is isn’t a measurement contest as you would know, it’s a illusion contest, maxx’s legs have zero separation and detail, and he has no hamstrings from the side”
I: “@milossarcev why are you so fucking salty about maxx’s placement. He consistently places where he does for a reason man. Stop being so immature you’re a 50 year old man not 19”
I: “@milossarcev wonder why maxx places low at every big show hmmm”
M: “@iainvalliere …pathetic sarcasm ?…????. interestingly enough – many others who judge (give their opinions) call it a “robbery” ?…I wonder why?”
What do you make of these heated exchanges between Iain Valliere and Milos Sarcev?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
