Anticipation for the 2026 Mr. Olympia continues to build. In a YouTube video from June 1, Lee Priest predicted that Tonio Burton and Michal ‘Krizo’ Krizanek could finish in the top six when the show makes its return.
Since taking eighth place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, Tonio Burton has been on a roll. He quickly transitioned to the Mexico Pro and secured gold against Regan Grimes and former two-time 212 Olympia champ Shaun Clarida. The triumphs helped Burton gather significant momentum this season.
At the 2026 New York Pro, he narrowly defeated Krizo to secure the Open Bodybuilding title. They rematched a week later at the Pittsburgh Pro, where the Slovakian native got revenge. Burton brushed off the setback and rebounded with another dominant win at the Legion Sports Fest Pro.
Krizo has also competed consistently and secured his Olympia qualification early by winning the British Grand Prix Pro. After two close calls against Burton, the Open star is gearing up for his comeback at the prestigious Mr. Olympia. Based on the current lineup, Priest believes both of these contenders could find themselves battling for a top spot in Vegas.
Lee Priest Explains How Tonio Burton and Michal Krizo Can Break Into the Top 6 at the 2026 Mr. Olympia
In the latest episode of Serious and Silliness Bodybuilding with John Livia, Priest laid out how Burton could crack the top six at the Mr. Olympia. He emphasized that Burton could find success regardless of whether competitors are ‘on’ or ‘off.’
“Let’s see, who’s going to be there… Derek, and then you’ll have Samson, Hadi, Andrew, that’s four. Yeah, I could see him cracking into the top six,” Priest shared. “Like I said, only someone else has to be a little bit off, and if he’s on, or even if someone is on, he might just beat him.”
He advised Burton to come in peeled and try to give the illusion of added size:
“He just needs to come in peeled and give the illusion of looking bigger.”
Given that Krizo just beat Burton in Pittsburgh, Priest suspects he could also fight for a top-six spot at the Mr. Olympia.
“I know there was something going back and forth with him and Martin,” added Priest. “And if people are off, you got to remember, Krizo beat him, so Krizo could push into the top six.”
Lee Priest isn’t the only high-profile name in bodybuilding backing Burton. Judge Terrick El Guindy compared Burton to Open legend Dexter Jackson and predicted he could reach the first callout, crediting his lines and density.
Fans are curious to see how Burton and Krizo fare at the ‘Super Bowl of Bodybuilding.’ The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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