Only one week remains until the world’s best bodybuilders clash under the Vegas lights. In a September 17 video, Iain Valliere shared his top 10 Men’s Open predictions for the upcoming 2026 Mr. Olympia.
Despite Hadi Choopan’s shocking withdrawal, the lineup is still loaded with top-tier threats. Derek Lunsford is the on-paper favorite. He went undefeated in 2025, sweeping the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia back-to-back. Lunsford opted for an off-season and used it to bring out more chest and arm detail.
Beyond the reigning two-time champ lies a group of athletes capable of massive upsets. Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) never lost a show in 2026, beating Nick Walker at the Arnold Classic before besting Brandon Curry at the Arnold Classic UK.
Meanwhile, Samson Dauda’s sole focus is on redemption. His downsized look caused him to tumble down to fourth place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia. His stock rose recently, though, thanks to his triumph at the 2026 Europa Pro.
Fans also expect Nick Walker’s freak factor to shake up the contest. He earned his Olympia ticket with a dominant Tampa Pro victory. There’s no shortage of talent heading to Vegas, prompting Valliere to discuss how he sees the show unfolding.
Iain Valliere Backs Derek Lunsford to Win 2026 Mr. Olympia, Shares His Top Predictions
Find his picks from the video below:
- Winner — Derek Lunsford
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — Andrew Jacked
- Fourth Place — Nick Walker
- Fifth Place — Martin Fitzwater
- Sixth Place — Tonio Burton
- Seventh Place — Michal Krizo
- Eighth Place — Behrooz Tabani
- Ninth Place — Brandon Curry
- Tenth Place — Regan Grimes
Aside from Valliere, other bodybuilders have gotten behind Lunsford to pull off the win. Dennis James, Patrick Moore, and Jose Raymond have all picked Lunsford to emerge victorious. However, according to King Kamali, ‘nobody has him winning again.’ He added that Lunsford will struggle with Nick Walker when they meet again onstage, since their last battle in Pittsburgh.
“If Derek is going to sit here saying what he’s said over and over again… I’m going to wipe everybody clean at the Olympia. You got to watch Derek; I’m talking to you now, man.”
“Nick can beat you. He will beat you in those back shots, your money shots. Nick can beat you. He has the hams. It’s not just a glute competition as Milos likes to say. Nick Walker is a big problem for Derek and Hadi,” said King Kamali.
Anticipation for the ‘Super Bowl of Bodybuilding’ continues to grow. Don’t miss the 2026 Mr. Olympia Weekend, taking place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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