The biggest bodybuilding show of the year returns in just one week. In a pair of September 17 videos, Jay Cutler broke down what Nick Walker needs to do to win the 2026 Mr. Olympia. He also laid out a path to victory for Samson Dauda, who is fresh off a pro show triumph.
Derek Lunsford stands above the rest as the reigning two-time Mr. Olympia champion. He dominated last season, picking up wins at the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia. Lunsford is on the verge of making history. Should he win again, he’ll be the first bodybuilder since Phil Heath to reach three Olympia victories.
It won’t be an easy night out for the champ. Nick Walker regained momentum with a second-place finish at the 2026 Arnold Classic. He qualified for Olympia in Tampa and showcased better midsection control between poses.
Meanwhile, Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) and Samson Dauda, two of the roster’s tallest competitors, aim to make statements. Jacked is coming off three straight wins, and Dauda recently earned the 2026 Europa Pro title. With the event approaching, Cutler opened up about its top contenders.
Jay Cutler Breaks Down the Mindset Nick Walker Needs to Win the 2026 Mr. Olympia
Though Cutler doubted his potential before, he expressed real confidence in Walker’s ability to win the Mr. Olympia.
“Nick Walker is getting better. Let’s be real. I know they said years ago he couldn’t win this Mr. Olympia; I truly think he can be Mr. Olympia, and I think he probably will at some point.”
“He’s got some knockout shots. People can criticize his structure but you know what? He’s pretty damn impressive when he hits those poses, and he’s got a ferocious attitude right now. He’s all about bodybuilding.”
Cutler told Walker that judges said he’d never earn the Sandow trophy. His advice was to go into the event with a winning mindset:
“I think Derek has just handled it. I think Samson had handled it great. I love Andrew’s demeanor. Nick, think about Nick Walker; oh, he’s never going to win. I was that guy.”
“I told Nick the other day; we were texting a little bit. I told Nick, I said, they said I was never going to win, Nick. He goes, look at you now. I go, yes, but I go, you need to go in with the mindset that you are winning this. He told me he’s winning it, no question,” Jay Cutler said.
He also stated that Dauda could end up getting his hand raised if he peaks effectively.
“I think that’s how he’ll win, actually [overwhelms] if he peaks just hard enough. We always say he doesn’t have to be the most ripped. What’s Nick Walker going to look like next to that? That’s what makes it intriguing.”
Ultimately, he believes the taller competitors could have the edge depending on their conditioning.
“It’s kind of like what have you done for me lately. I think he’s still in people’s minds that he’s going to win, but Derek is the champ. These guys, if they come in good enough shape, you know what Lee Haney said: A great big man always beats a great little man,” he added.
Bodybuilding veteran Shawn Ray argued Walker could face an uphill battle in Vegas. He predicted Walker and Derek Lunsford could finish below the top two because taller athletes might overpower the shorter physiques onstage.
“This could be Samson and Andrew Jacked, and all the shorter guys. I don’t know how they put one of these short guys in between Samson and Andrew.”
Peak week is almost here, and competitors are ready to battle it out. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fitness Volt will have live coverage.
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