Ronnie was hardly bloated and out of shape!!! Cormier should have placed 2nd and Flex 3rd. Many many people agree about this, and it was published by Peter McGough in the FLEX review of the Olympia.
Flex gave Ronnie a run for his money in 98, but 99 was Ronnie all the way, just as it was his in '03. Nobody doubted Ronnie that year, only Flex-who actually recanted his statements later.
Then to top it off, it was very poor sportsmanship of Flex to turn his back to the audience- whether he was slighting Ronnie, the judges or whoever, it was in poor taste.