The 2026 Empro Classic has received a major boost with the confirmation that William Bonac and Behrouz Tabani will once again go head-to-head on one of the most prestigious stages outside of the Olympia. Confirmed by Boss of Outlaw on BTSTV, the matchup will renew a rivalry that has become one of the most fascinating and closely contested battles in professional bodybuilding over the last several seasons.
In an era where athletes often compete against each other only once or twice before their careers take different paths, Bonac and Tabani have repeatedly found themselves standing side-by-side in comparison rounds. Their encounters have produced razor-close judging decisions, split victories, and endless debate among fans about who truly has the edge. The upcoming Empro Classic offers another opportunity to settle the score, but if history is any indication, it is unlikely to provide a definitive answer.
Their rivalry first reached another level at the 2024 Empro Classic. Bonac entered the contest as one of the most decorated veterans in the IFBB Pro League and managed to secure the victory. However, the scorecards revealed just how close the contest really was. Bonac won by a single point in both prejudging and the finals, leaving many spectators believing the result could have gone either way. It was the kind of contest that reminded fans why bodybuilding remains such a subjective sport, where the smallest details can determine who leaves with the trophy.
While Bonac celebrated the victory in Spain, Tabani would soon gain revenge. Later that season at the Dubai Pro, the Iranian star turned the tables and defeated Bonac in convincing fashion. More importantly, he repeated the feat again in 2025, making it back-to-back victories over one of the most respected names in the Open division. Those wins were not only significant because of who Tabani defeated, but because they reinforced his status as one of the fastest-rising athletes in professional bodybuilding.
The victories in Dubai demonstrated exactly why many fans have become believers in Tabani's Olympia potential. His combination of size, shape, conditioning, and stage presence has continued to improve with every season. Once viewed as a dangerous dark horse, Tabani has evolved into a legitimate threat capable of challenging the sport's elite on any given day. Each time he has stood across from Bonac, he has looked increasingly confident, and each victory has added another layer to their growing rivalry.
However, Bonac reminded everyone why he remains one of the most consistent competitors of his generation when the two met again at the 2025 Olympia. While neither man was battling for the Sandow trophy, the Olympia standings provided another chapter in their personal rivalry. Bonac finished two places ahead of Tabani, giving the Dutch veteran an important win on bodybuilding's biggest stage. For many observers, that result balanced the scales once again and ensured the debate would continue heading into 2026.
That is what makes this upcoming Empro Classic so intriguing. Depending on how fans choose to score their previous encounters, the rivalry is effectively tied. Bonac holds the victory from the 2024 Empro Classic and the higher placing at the 2025 Olympia. Tabani counters with consecutive victories over Bonac at the Dubai Pro in both 2024 and 2025. Neither man has managed to establish clear dominance over the other, which is why their next meeting carries so much significance.
Beyond the statistics and placings, this matchup represents a clash between two athletes at different stages of their careers. Bonac has already cemented his legacy as one of the most successful Open bodybuilders of the modern era. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for bringing exceptional muscle density, consistency, and professionalism to every contest he enters. Even as younger athletes emerge and the division evolves, Bonac continues to prove that experience remains a powerful weapon.
Tabani, meanwhile, represents the next wave of elite Open competitors. Over the last few years, he has steadily climbed the rankings and transformed himself into a genuine threat at every major event. His rise has been built on continuous improvement and an ability to bring a balanced package that appeals to judges across multiple criteria. Every time he defeats a seasoned veteran like Bonac, it further strengthens the belief that his best years may still be ahead of him.
The Empro Classic therefore offers more than just another opportunity to qualify for the Olympia or add another title to an already impressive résumé. It represents another chapter in a rivalry that has become one of the most competitive in the Open division. With so little separating the two athletes, every aspect of their preparation will matter. Conditioning, fullness, presentation, and even minor improvements from previous appearances could ultimately decide the outcome.
What bodybuilding fans can expect is a battle that will likely come down to fine margins once again. Neither Bonac nor Tabani has been able to consistently outperform the other, and their history suggests this contest could be another nail-biter for judges. In a sport where rivalries often fade as quickly as they emerge, this is one that continues to deliver compelling storylines every time the two men step on stage together.
As the 2026 Empro Classic approaches, the score appears level and the stakes could not be clearer. Bonac has the chance to prove that experience and pedigree still reign supreme. Tabani has the opportunity to show that momentum and progression are enough to push him ahead once and for all. Whatever the result, fans can be confident of one thing: when these two athletes stand next to each other under the lights in Spain, the comparisons will once again be among the most closely watched of the entire season.
The rivalry is far from over. If anything, it may only just be reaching its most exciting chapter.
