The 2026 Mr. Olympia title is up for grabs in just 10 days. In a September 14 video, coach Chris Aceto weighed Dauda’s chances and revealed the biggest strength working in his favor.
Dauda has already proven he has the tools to win the sport’s most prestigious title. He claimed Olympia gold in 2024 with a perfect combination of fullness and conditioning. However, a year later, he failed to defend his title after displaying an undersized look, mainly due to chasing more detail.
His struggles carried post-Olympia. Dauda still hadn’t regained his size and took second place behind Martin Fitzwater at the 2025 Prague Pro. Following a productive off-season, the Nigerian star showcased dramatic improvements at the 2026 Europa Pro en route to gold. With his latest victory shaking up the Men’s Open, Aceto explained how it affects the Olympia title picture looking ahead.
Chris Aceto Says Samson Dauda ‘On Target to Be the Best’ at 2026 Olympia
In the video, Aceto emphasized that this was the biggest and roundest version of Dauda he’s ever seen.
“I thought it’s the roundest he’s ever been. Just fuller everywhere: quads, back, especially pecs, shoulders, and arms, which have always been big and round. They looked like balloons.”
“He looks like Toney Freeman on PPA or PMMA, or whatever,” adds Aceto. “He’s got a taper and the quads, and the shoulders,” he said. “I think his attributes, I think he learned that last year, his size… he’s got to come in with what shows off his physique best.”
He acknowledged that Dauda is playing a risky game because he has to balance his current size with more detail to keep up with contenders like Andrew Jacked, Derek Lunsford, and Nick Walker:
“You used the word risk… which means something can go wrong, and in this case, you get some finer detail, right? But you’re giving up the size that you have. It goes back to playing on your strengths.”
“The judges here probably thought he looked insane and said you know what, you just got to come in a little sharper,” he said. “It all depends on who you’re standing next to and how good the condition the other guys are in.”
Given what he saw, Aceto believes Dauda is on track to be the best at the Mr. Olympia.
“People are saying, obviously, wow, this is the best Samson. It’s the biggest Samson, and it’s on target to be the best. You’re not going to be the best Samson. He’d be an idiot to come in at his all-time best two weeks from the show.”
Public confidence in Dauda’s potential continues to grow. Sergio Oliva Jr. recently predicted that ‘The Nigerian Lion’ would reclaim the Sandow trophy. Meanwhile, Phil Heath suggested ‘it’s a wrap’ for his rivals if Dauda gets peeled for the stage.
Dauda gained valuable momentum leading into the biggest show of the year. The 2026 Mr. Olympia takes place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fitness Volt will have live coverage.
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