The 2026 Mr. Olympia is just under six months away. On April 2, Bob Cicherillo and Shawn Ray predicted Andrew Jacked and Samson Dauda to fight for first and second place. In addition, they suggested that Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater would skip the prestigious contest.
Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea has been on a roll since taking third place at the Olympia. He turned around and won the Romania Pro, but wasn’t finished competing. He pushed all-in at the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio and won the historic $750,000 winner’s purse. Then, secured another $250,000 after dominating the Arnold UK event.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia lineup will be loaded with top names. Fans are curious if Samson Dauda can reclaim the title against Derek Lunsford after dropping it in 2025. Meanwhile, anticipation of seeing Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater back onstage is growing.
Bob Cicherillo, Shawn Ray Predict Andrew Jacked & Samson Dauda to Fight for Gold at 2026 Mr. Olympia
Speaking on the Voice of Bodybuilding podcast, Ray predicted that Jacked and Dauda could contend for the next Olympia crown.
“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.”
Should Jacked win the 2026 Mr. Olympia, Ray and Cicherillo agree he should skip the next Arnold Classic.
“I do not think that if Andrew Jacked goes into the Olympia this year, that he winds up in Columbus, Ohio next year, regardless of what the payout is.”
“If I were Andrew Jacked or I’m running his camp, and he ends up in the winner’s circle at Olympia this year, I would absolutely not go to the Arnold,” said Cicherillo. “I’d concentrate on Olympias.”
In contrast, they revealed why it might be advantageous for Walker to sit out of the Olympia.
“That rest, actually, Bob, that might extend all the way through the Olympia, which I don’t think is a bad strategy for Nick,” said Ray.
“After the Arnold, getting second, I believe he had already mentally burnt himself out, and I don’t think Olympia is even in the plans. That’s enough money to sit on for a year and consider the waiting game.”
They also assessed Martin Fitzwater’s future. Cicherillo wasn’t convinced he’d actually make it back to the Olympia stage in 2026.
“I don’t particularly think he’s going to wind up in the Olympia. He continually talks about his mental instability. He’s trying to get his act together. He’s missing his peak, and when he got fourth at the Arnold Classic, we all had him in fifth at the Arnold Classic Ohio. He just got beat by Patrick Moore, who hadn’t busted a grape as a professional bodybuilder.”
Public confidence in Jacked is at an all-time high after three consecutive Pro show victories. Bodybuilding legend Phil Heath urged him to ‘impose his will’ on Lunsford when they meet in Vegas. According to ‘The Gift,’ Jacked has a legitimate shot at winning the Olympia.
The pieces are beginning to fall in place for an action-packed Olympia contest. The event is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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