Bodybuilder Iain Valliere is already predicting who could win the 2026 Arnold Classic. On Dec. 27, 2025, he broke down the lineup and gave his top three picks for the Men’s Open. In a bold claim, he also shared that Nick Walker could end up winning if he improves his peak from the Olympia.
Unprecedented stakes are on the line at the 2026 Arnold Classic. Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that the Men’s Open champion will walk away with a life-changing $750,000 purse. This has attracted a wave of top-tier threats, including Walker, and favorites Hadi Choopan, Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea, and Martin Fitzwater.
Whoever lays claim to gold in Ohio won’t just leave with a huge paycheck. The winner automatically qualifies for the prestigious Mr. Olympia contest, set for Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas, NV. With one of sport’s biggest shows on the horizon, Valliere gave his take on what’s likely to unfold.
Iain Valliere Discusses 2026 Arnold Classic Lineup, Reveals His Top 3 Picks for Men’s Open
Find Valliere’s picks from the YouTube video below:
- Winner — Hadi Choopan
- Second Place — Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea
- Third Place — Martin Fitzwater
Valliere previewed the lineup, pointing out some of the top threats on everyone’s radar.
“The Arnold lineup is out, exciting. We have like six or seven of the top 10 from the Olympia. Andrew, Hadi, Nick, Martin, Tonio, Brandon Curry, right there. Akim Williams, Rafael Brandao, we got Anthony Williams.”
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“I’m very excited to see Brandao back in the mix. Good lineup. As of now, my predictions, this is so fucking boring, but I think I’m probably going to stay with them in the same order that they placed at the Olympia. I think it’s a very short turnover.”
While he sees the event unfolding similarly to the Olympia, he warned that Walker and Jacked have the best chances of moving up the ranks.
“If anyone is going to move up, it’s going to be Nick or Andrew. I think Hadi is going to be tough to beat here,” said Valliere. “I think Nick and Martin, I think Nick was a bit off at the Olympia. Martin edged him out, and then Martin did have a stellar showing at Prague, beating Samson, who was fourth place at the Olympia,” Iain Valliere said.
He added that if Walker improved his peak, he could push into first or second place.
“I think Nick improving his peak could put him up as high as first, second, whatever,” he adds. “He’s got the most potential for an upswing.”
Though Valliere has confidence in Walker, not everyone does at this point. Recently, Shawn Ray suggested Walker target a late Olympia qualifier. He stressed that if Walker decided to enter the 2026 Arnold Classic, he’d end up in 10th place.
As of now, Valliere argues it will be quite difficult to take out Choopan. One thing is certain: whoever wins the 2026 Arnold Classic will be in a powerful position to challenge reigning Mr. Olympia Lunsford.
RELATED: 284-Lb Nick Walker Talks 2026 Arnold Classic Prep: “The End Goal Is To Win”
Watch the full video from the Iain Valliere YouTube channel below:
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