Attention has quickly turned to the stacked 2026 Arnold Classic. On Jan. 28, 2026, Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo discussed why conditions are ripe for Hadi Choopan to lose in Columbus, OH. They also talked about Samson Dauda’s decision to grow to 350 pounds.
The 2026 Arnold Classic (AC) will see a crop of the world’s best Open contenders fight for gold. Hadi Choopan is the on-paper favorite, having secured the silver medal the last three years at the Mr. Olympia. However, with political unrest shaking up Iran, questions about whether he’ll make it to the show have picked up.
Assuming Choopan does make it to the event, he’ll face off against third-place Olympia finisher Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea. Jacked’s been on fire since his breakout performance in Vegas. He recently won the 2025 Romania Pro, so he can compete at the AC without worrying about his Olympia qualification.
Beyond Jacked, “The Persian Wolf” will have to get past Martin Fitzwater and Nick Walker. The stakes are high; whoever wins the Open title at the AC will secure a massive $750,000 payday. Additionally, the champion will become an instant contender for the Olympia contest on the horizon.
Shawn Ray on Choopan’s 2026 Arnold Classic Chances and Dauda Growing to 350 Lbs
In the video, Cicherillo stressed that politics could prevent Choopan from making it to the US.
“Unfortunately, this is just the politics of just not our sport, but any sport. We are going to go on the idea in any of our predictions and things because it keeps things a lot cleaner, that he will be able to get to the Arnold. Let’s go on that assumption,” said Cicherillo.
He added that Choopan could be distracted at the event, given the political environment in his home country:
“I think it would be the most distracting of all competitions for him to participate in, knowing the family and friends, and the relationships he has going on back in Iran, which is a country under siege, at war, and the unpredictability of training, dieting, and leaving your family, basically to make life-changing money.”
According to Ray, if Choopan’s mind isn’t locked in for victory, the ‘conditions are ripe’ for him to lose in OH.
“If his mind is not 100 percent on winning that show, this is one where he can get beat. Right now, the conditions are ripe for Hadi to take his eye off the ball,” explained Ray.
Looking at Dauda’s latest progress, both Ray and Cicherillo had doubts about him growing to over 350 pounds.
“It doesn’t work being bigger when you’re standing next to harder, smaller, bodybuilders. It works against you,” said Ray.
“I do like the idea that he’s staying off the stage but I don’t agree with going up to 340, 350. I just think that’s a lot of weight to take down. Listen, he’s over 40 or almost 40, I should say. Let’s just say he is 40. That skin elasticity doesn’t last forever. I don’t care who you are,” said Cicherillo.
With the event approaching, Iain Valliere offered his top three Open picks. He believes Choopan will secure his second AC title, with Jacked and Martin Fitzwater taking spots two and three. As for Walker, Cicherillo predicted that he would finish in fourth place.
Should Choopan make it to the US, Cicherillo and Ray believe he still faces an uphill battle en route to gold. The 2026 Arnold Classic takes place March 5-8 in Columbus, OH.
Watch the full video from the VOB Media YouTube channel below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
