Athletes from the Men’s Open division continue to battle for prize money and Olympia qualifications during the 2026 season. In a YouTube video from May 28, bodybuilding veteran Iain Valliere laid out his top 10 Men’s Open predictions for the upcoming Legion Sports Fest Pro.
Competitors from all IFBB Pro League divisions, including the Men’s Open class, have until August 30, 2026, to secure their qualifications for the Mr. Olympia. With each passing day, there are fewer opportunities for athletes to earn their passage.
Their next shot comes this weekend at the Legion Sports Fest Pro. In 2025, bodybuilder Tonio Burton secured gold at the event with dry conditioning and bubbly muscle volume. He has decided to pursue a title defense and already carries momentum thanks to a string of impressive performances.
To cap off last season, he earned eighth place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, tying his highest career finish at the prestigious event. However, Burton made drastic changes to his physique in 2026. His conditioning and symmetry came up, leading to a dominant win at the New York Pro. He rematched mass monster Michal ‘Krizo’ Krizanek at the Pittsburgh Pro, but narrowly finished in second place.
Aside from Burton, other contenders could turn in strong showings. Fans expect Patrick Moore to be in contention. He shocked the world after defeating Martin Fitzwater at the stacked 2026 Arnold Classic UK. Meanwhile, Masters Olympia champ Dorian Haywood and Lucas Carroll are other top names garnering attention.
Iain Valliere’s Top 10 Men’s Open Predictions for the 2026 Legion Sports Fest Pro
Find his picks from the Bro Chat podcast below:
- Winner — Tonio Burton
- Second Place — Lucas Carroll
- Third Place — Patrick Moore
- Fourth Place — Dorian Haywood
- Fifth Place — Eric Wood
- Sixth Place — Phillip Chiero
- Seventh Place — Roy Evans
- Eighth Place — Christopher Knox
- Ninth Place — Timothy Cline
- Tenth Place — Daniel Korman
According to Iain Valliere, Burton will pick up where he left off with another elite performance. He backed Burton to come out victorious, with Lucas Carroll and Patrick Moore securing spots on the podium.
In light of his success, public confidence in Burton has skyrocketed. Judge Terrick El Guindy compared him to bodybuilding legend Dexter Jackson and believes he can reach the first callout when he competes at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
Iain Valliere is confident Burton has the tools to walk away victorious again. The 2026 Legion Sports Fest Pro takes place on May 30 in Reno, Nevada.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Tonio Burton Fires Back Against Synthol Accusations After 2026 New York Pro Win
