Less than five months stand between competitors and the 2026 Mr. Olympia contest. Taking to YouTube on April 30, 2026, Jose Raymond shared his top three Men’s Open picks. He backed Derek Lunsford to win a third title and explained why he exposes Samson Dauda and Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea.
The Men’s Open is among the most competitive divisions in the IFBB Pro League. In 2025, Derek Lunsford accomplished a historic feat; he secured Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia victories, completing his ‘Triple Crown’ goal.
Since Lunsford’s triumph on the Olympia stage, Andrew Jacked has only improved. He won the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK contests, cementing himself as a favorite looking ahead.
Meanwhile, Dauda aims to bounce back after coming in downsized last October. He’s bulked to a massive 352 pounds, with many wondering if that’ll be his ticket back to the throne. Ahead of the season’s biggest show, Raymond laid out how he sees it playing out.
Jose Raymond Backs Derek Lunsford to Win 2026 Mr. Olympia, Shares Top 3 Men’s Open Picks
Find his picks from the video below:
- Derek Lunsford
- Andrew Jacked
- Samson Dauda
During the interview, Raymond shared that Lunsford exposes Jacked from the front and Samson from behind.
“He exposes them both in different ways. He exposes Samson from behind, and he exposes Andrew from the front thighs. So, yes, he can win, and he’s still young. He’s 32 years old,” Jose Raymond said.
He argued Lunsford should focus on refinements rather than adding new muscle:
“He’s walking a really fine line. If Derek puts on another five pounds of muscle, it’s too much. He just needs to refine what he’s got, hold on to the legs. His legs are huge now, huge. So, yeah, I think he can and he would be my pick right now, even though Andrew is as awesome as he is and Samson.”
Industry experts Bob Cicherillo and Shawn Ray don’t see the contest ending the same way. They recently suggested that Lunsford would land in third, with Jacked and Dauda fighting for the top two spots. However, Jay Cutler notes that Lunsford could win again, as long as he showcases full legs onstage.
“We also know where the chinks in Derek’s armor are. His arms are not worthy of standing next to Andrew or Samson, for that matter, and that’s a big one.
He does have the back to compete, but he’s a shorter, boxier bodybuilder, Derek. I really think going into Olympia, this could be two Nigerians, one and two, for the very first time in the history of our sport that could lay claim to that Olympia title.”
Fans expect a high-stakes Mr. Olympia contest on the horizon. The event is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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