Oh dear, I hope he doesnt ruin his physique
I was thinking the same thing after reading the blurb you shared...he looked great at 212-lb, and I don't think he needs to be 220-lb or more to compete in the open. He can compete in the open at the same weight he was competing at before - presumably, maxing out the 212-lb allowance at weigh-ins, but stepping on stage a little heavier on contest day.
Seth Feroce won the 212-lb class of the Europa Supershow in 2010. He decided to compete at the 2012 Toronto Pro in the open class, and came in at around 220-lb.
There was no need for this. He placed 6th as a result, and Bill Willmore won the show.
Had Feroce competed in the open class in Toronto while weighing 212-lb, and bringing in that sharper package, he would have beaten Bill Willmore who was, while much larger, not in the conditioning that Feroce was when he won his 212-lb Europa title in 2010.
I think Flex Lewis should do the same thing - compete in the open if he wants, but simply focus on refining his physique, and not worry about what he weighs.
He might be good enough to be top four in the open [it's hard to say], but if he ruins his physique as you suggested is a worry, he might place far worse than that.
I'm wishing him luck, but I wish someone would make it clear to some bodybuilders that they don't need more size - only to ensure they refine the mass that they have.
