Who is walking away with the Sandow trophy at the 2026 Mr. Olympia? In a September 22 video, bodybuilding legend Flex Lewis revealed his top five Men’s Open predictions just two days before the event kicks off.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open lineup is incredibly deep. At last year’s contest, Derek Lunsford beat Hadi Choopan and Andrew Jacked to become a two-time champion. While he opted for an off-season to improve his arms, Jacked focused on competing. He went 3-0, claiming victories at the 2025 Romania Pro, 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio, and the Arnold Classic UK.
Samson Dauda won the Olympia back in 2024, but suffered a major setback last season. He hit the 2025 Olympia stage flat in pursuit of sharper conditioning. Ultimately, he finished fourth, but already regained momentum at the recent 2026 Europa Pro. Meanwhile, Nick Walker is one of the biggest wildcards of the weekend. He qualified for the event following a strong performance at the Tampa Pro.
Despite Choopan’s withdrawal from the show, breaking into the final callout is still a huge ask. Martin Fitzwater aims to get the job done. In his last two outings, ‘The Martian’ finished fourth place at the Arnold Classic and the Arnold Classic UK. With the Mr. Olympia approaching, Lewis gave his two cents on who’s likely to thrive.
Flex Lewis’ Top 5 Open Predictions for the 2026 Mr. Olympia
Find his picks from the video below:
- Winner — Derek Lunsford
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — Nick Walker
- Fourth Place — Andrew Jacked
- Fifth Place — Martin Fitzwater
While Lewis favors Lunsford’s chances, not everyone thinks he’s a shoo-in to become a three-time champ. According to bodybuilding veteran Shawn Ray, taller contenders may have the edge onstage. He predicted that a ‘maxed out’ Lunsford and Nick Walker could place lower than the top two.
“Right now, I still think to this day, it’s wide open. It’s Andrew Jacked’s show to lose. Samson has a lot to prove in terms of conditioning. I think Derek is totally maxed out. There’s nothing else he can do to his frame. If I’m him, I’m focusing on conditioning. As a matter of fact, I’m coming in lighter.”
The 2026 Mr. Olympia promises to be a massive event, and the livestream this year is completely free. Don’t miss any of the action from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Keep it locked on Fitness Volt for the latest stories, updates, and results!
Get Ready for the 2026 Mr. Olympia
- How to Watch the 2026 Mr. Olympia Free Livestream
- 2026 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open Preview
- 2026 Classic Physique Olympia Preview
