Discussions around the 2027 Arnold Classic are already heating up. In a recent YouTube video (October 15, 2026), bodybuilding veteran Dennis James warned Nick Walker about Hadi Choopan and explained why Andrew Jacked could be making a mistake by competing.
We’ve already got confirmation that Walker, Choopan, and Jacked will clash at the upcoming Arnold in March. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is still sending shockwaves through the community after Walker’s triumph reshaped the Men’s Open division. Hadi Choopan, meanwhile, was unable to compete in Vegas due to visa and travel issues.
The 2027 Arnold Classic Men’s Open lineup looks to rival the Mr. Olympia’s. This season, Jacked secured a massive $750,000 winner’s purse in Columbus, with some suspecting that prize could go even higher next year. Ahead of the contest, James laid out who he expects to vie for gold when they step onstage.
Dennis James Predicts Nick Walker & Hadi Choopan Showdown at the 2027 Arnold Classic
In the latest The Menace Podcast, James explained that Jacked’s body needs a rest after competing in multiple contests throughout the year.
“I think this is going to be very early for Andrew to do another show in four months. I think his body is just not…Andrew is doing it. He’s already confirmed. I think it’s a mistake for him to come back and do it right after this now because his body, he’s been competing for [a while].”
He predicted that the Arnold Classic will likely be a showdown between Walker and Choopan.
“It’s not the money that I would pass on. I think this is going to be a show between Hadi and Nick. Nick proved that he can be in shape show after show after show. He proved it. Andrew proved that he can’t. Samson, same issues. And Derek? I don’t think Derek want to get another L at the beginning of the year. I don’t think so.”
James said he’d be worried about Choopan if he were Nick Walker:
“I don’t think Derek is doing it. I really believe this is going to be a Hadi and Nick show. If I was Nick, I would be very worried about Hadi because Hadi is fresh. That’s the only guy, he only beat Hadi once, and that was an off Hadi that’s still better than most of the other guys, to be honest. Yeah, I think it’s going to be a Hadi and Nick show, unless Hadi comes in off condition-wise, for Hadi.”
Though James sees Choopan battling Walker at the Arnold, Bob Cicherillo was far less optimistic. He went as far as to suggest that Choopan should step away from the sport altogether:
“What do I do if I’m Hadi? To be honest with you bro, I’d probably call it a day.”
Fans are curious to see Hadi Choopan back onstage since he didn’t get the chance to rematch Walker at the Olympia. The 2027 Arnold Classic is set for March 4-7 in Columbus, Ohio.
