It’s hunting season for Tonio Burton, and he intends to move up the Open ladder at the 2026 Mr. Olympia. In a YouTube video from May 27, he warned Martin Fitzwater that he has a target on his back. Burton also predicted that he could win the Mr. Olympia in two or three years.
Burton has quickly emerged as a top threat in the IFBB Pro League. At the 2025 Mr. Olympia, he secured eighth place and used that momentum in his next outing. Burton dominated the Mexico Pro less than two weeks later. Despite qualifying for the 2026 Mr. Olympia early, Burton pushed on, proving himself at a trio of highly competitive events.
Burton won the New York Pro against Michal ‘Krizo’ Krizanek. They rematched at the Pittsburgh Pro, where he narrowly lost against the Slovakian mass monster. In his last outing, Burton successfully defended his title at the Legion Sports Fest Pro. Looking ahead, Burton believes he has the tools to take out some big-name bodybuilders in Vegas.
Tonio Burton Says He Can Win Mr. Olympia in 2-3 Years, Talks Potential Martin Fitzwater Matchup
In the video, Burton stressed that unless his rivals outweigh him by 50 to 60 pounds, they aren’t big enough to stand against him onstage.
“The way I see it now is I just beat Krizo. How many of them are bigger than Krizo? I feel like if you’re not outweighing me by 50, 60-plus pounds, then you’re too small. You put me next to anyone, I look bigger and I get harder as I pose.”
He explained that competitors who pursue conditioning could drop some size, which is where he can capitalize:
“That’s where I think a lot of people’s downfalls are, is they try to come in conditioned and in shape as they should, but that scale drops too low… then I’m in striking distance.”
Burton didn’t mince words; he stated that Fitzwater’s spot is in jeopardy at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
“What do you do when I look just as big, and I’m more conditioned? So, I think Martin is in danger if he decides to do Olympia, which I hope he does. I hope his mental is better,” he said. “I think Martin has a target on his back right now.”
“He definitely has to look over his shoulder. Nick is looking crazier and crazier, same thing with Samson. Andrew is hot right now. Derek is hot. Don’t know what’s going on with Hadi. I’ve seen an update he did,” shared Burton. “He looks like a monster right now.”
Within two or three years, Burton believes he can win the sport’s most prestigious title:
“If we keep making progress the way we’ve been, I can see or challenge to win the Olympia I say about two or three years.”
Burton has the bodybuilding community talking. Judge Terrick El Guindy shared that he resembles Dexter Jackson and can see him reaching the first callout at the 2026 Mr. Olympia. Moreover, Lee Priest predicted he could finish in the top six when the event makes its return.
Burton’s confidence is reaching an all-time high thanks to a string of consistently strong performances. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Tonio Burton Fires Back Against Synthol Accusations After 2026 New York Pro Win
