The 2025 Mr. Olympia Weekend, which took place from Oct. 9-12, will go down in history as one of the most exciting. A day after the event, Jay Cutler congratulated Derek Lunsford on becoming only the second bodybuilder to reclaim the title after losing it. In a separate NPC News Online interview, Lunsford recapped the victory.
It’s been non-stop action for Lunsford in 2025. He began the season with revenge against Samson Dauda, having claimed his first Arnold Classic victory in Columbus, Ohio. From there, Lunsford revealed his ‘Triple Crown’ goal, setting his sights on becoming the first IFBB Pro to win the AC, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia.
The community had its doubts, but Lunsford didn’t. He stormed the 2025 Mr. Olympia stage looking better than ever and narrowly won the Sandow trophy by a two-point margin against finalist Hadi Choopan.
Jay Cutler Hails Lunsford’s 2025 Mr. Olympia Title Redemption, Champ Shares Victory Statement
In a recent Instagram post, Jay Cutler shared his thoughts on Derek Lunsford, noting that he’s now the only other bodybuilder besides him to reclaim the Mr. Olympia title after dropping it.
“16 years after my 2009 win and I can no longer say that I am the only man in bodybuilding history to lose an Olympia title and come back to take it again! Congrats to Derek on his comeback win, and to the rest of tonight’s winners including Ramon, Ryan, Maureen and James. A job well done.
And new. And still. And once again,” Jay Cutler shared.
Lunsford reflected on his unprecedented achievement, describing it as ‘beyond my wildest dreams.’
“I didn’t think at all that it would be like this, the 212, the Mr. Olympia in 2023, now losing the title and coming back and getting it, which only Jay Cutler has done that. Winning the Arnold, the Olympia, and the Pittsburgh Pro in the same year — all of this is beyond what were my wildest dreams.”
He thrives on being counted out, and said that helped fuel his latest Olympia victory.
“I just like to do things that people say can’t be done. ‘Oh, that can’t be done, you shouldn’t do it, no one is ever going to do that.’ Great, I’m going to go for it because if I do it, I’ll be the first to do it, and if not, no harm, no foul.”
To lay claim to his second Mr. Olympia, Lunsford had to get through a stacked roster of threats. Beyond Choopan, he overpowered former champion Samson Dauda, who dropped to fourth, along with Andrew Jacked, Martin Fitzwater, and Nick Walker.
Back on top, fans are curious if Lunsford will enter the 2026 Arnold Classic as the reigning Mr. Olympia. The event will be held at the beginning of March, so he has a little time to make the decision.
RELATED: Samson Dauda Issues Statement After Shocking Drop to 4th at 2025 Mr. Olympia: “This Isn’t The End”
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Hi Doug, I don’t think what Jay Cutler is saying is true about only him and Derek being the only ones to reclaim a Mr Olympia win.
Arnold Swarzenegger done it in 1980 & Franco Columbo did it again in 1981
Thank you.
Thanks for the comment! I updated this article to reflect that Lunsford joined Cutler as only the second bodybuilder to reclaim Open Mr. Olympia title after losing it.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu didn’t lose their titles on stage; they stepped away and later returned to win again.
The Mr Olympia has no biceps how did he even win