Who will win the 2026 Arnold Classic? In a recent YouTube video on November 11, 2025, bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest addressed that question, emphasizing that there are four to five athletes who could potentially walk away with the prestigious title.
Last year, Derek Lunsford redeemed his third-place finish at the 2024 Mr. Olympia with a come-from-behind win at the Arnold Classic. En route to gold, he defeated Samson Dauda, who will likely make his way back to Columbus, Ohio, in just a few months.
While the official roster has yet to be announced, the community is already discussing who is in and who is out. Chris Aceto confirmed Andrew Jacked will aim to secure his first AC title. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating about Lunsford’s entry. Beyond those top names, Martin Fitzwater, fresh off a big win at the 2025 Prague Pro, has also expressed interest in the event.
Lee Priest Says ‘There’s No Clear Winner’ Heading into 2026 Arnold Classic
In the video, Priest spoke on the possibility of Hadi Choopan making his way to Ohio.
“I know Hadi sat out last year, but I wonder because Hadi probably sat out thinking all these guys competing, I’ll save myself for the Olympia, which he did and looked great,” shared Priest. “I wonder whether Hadi is going to be like fuck it, I’ll go do the Arnold as well.”
He also notes that competitors like Lunsford or Dauda have peaked at multiple shows during a single season, but warns that the body responds differently to each prep.
“If he can do it, like I said, Derek I’m sure can do it and he’s done it before. Samson can do it. They have proven they can do it but it’s like anything: your body has got a mind of its own.
Even though we wish to come in shape, we can have the same, when you compete, you have that one diet, fuck this is the best I’ve ever looked. Then, the next contest, you’re like I’ll follow that same diet. You can do exactly the same thing, diet, training, and drugs, but you’re not going to look exactly the same,” he said.
With that in mind, Priest underlined that shows nowadays have ‘no clear winners.’
“If they all do it, can Derek win the Arnold? Probably. Could Samson come in and look his best and win it? Yes. Could Andrew Jacked? Yes. That’s what I like.
There’s no clear winners anymore. There’s always at least, anywhere from four to five guys, if they are at their best, can win it, if someone slips a bit.”
He doesn’t discount Fitzwater’s chances heading into the AC:
“Martin… he’s no slouch. He could win the Arnold Classic. You can’t count him out,” adds Priest.
The biggest question ahead of the Arnold Classic is whether Lunsford will put his ‘Triple Crown’ on the line. He poured fuel on speculations after sharing that ‘one way or another’ he’ll be in Columbus, Ohio, for the blockbuster event.
It’s anyone’s title, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed that the Men’s Open winner will walk away with a historic $750,000 winner’s purse.
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Watch the full video from the IFBB AMA YouTube channel below:
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