The 2026 Arnold Classic UK is around the corner, and bodybuilders are predicting what’s likely to unfold. On March 17, Antoine Vaillant and Jon Delarosa shared their top Men’s Open picks ahead of the event.
On paper, fans expect Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea and Hadi Choopan to battle it out for gold. Jacked has more momentum than ever, thanks to his major victory at the 2026 Arnold Classic. He won’t have to concern himself with qualifying for the Mr. Olympia, so he can purely focus on presenting an improved physique. The Nigerian native is familiar with this stage; he won the Arnold UK back in 2022 as a rising Pro.
The Arnold UK could rewrite the bodybuilding history books. Jacked secured a massive $750,000 winner’s purse in Ohio, and should he claim victory in the UK, he’ll bag another $250,000, which would make him the first bodybuilder to ever clear $1 million in prize money within a month.
Choopan is out for vengeance after falling to third place at the Arnold Classic. Having won the Arnold UK back in 2024, no one is counting him out. Choopan’s midsection detail and conditioning from the front make him an extremely dangerous threat. Time is short, and these athletes are ready to battle it out under the bright stage lights in just under two weeks.
Antoine Vaillant and Jon Delarosa Share Top Open Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic UK
Find their picks from the video below:
Antoine Vaillant
- Winner — Andrew Jacked
Jon Delarosa
- Winner — Andrew Jacked
- Second Place — Hadi Choopan
- Third Place — Brandon Curry
- Fourth Place — Akim Williams
- Fifth Place — Hassan Mostafa
Vaillant and Delarosa both see the contest the same, with Jacked emerging victorious. His consistency against top talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. Recently, former four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler predicted Jacked to win the Arnold Classic and the Mr. Olympia this September.
It’s not a two-man show in the UK; some contenders could pull off upsets. Brandon Curry is a dark horse and boasts some of the best credentials of the entire roster. Curry won the Mr. Olympia title in 2019. He’s also a former two-time Arnold Classic titleholder (2019, 2022). Beyond Curry, mass monster Akim Williams could push into the final callout. His sheer mass and huge legs make his side poses world-class when he peaks properly.
While Jacked and Choopan stand out as clear favorites, bodybuilding is always unpredictable. Don’t miss our live coverage of the 2026 Arnold Classic UK, set for March 27-29 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
RELATED: Andrew Jacked Shares Ripped Physique Update 12 Days Before 2026 Arnold Classic UK
Watch the full video from the IFBB AMA YouTube channel below:
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