The 2025 Mr. Olympia is taking place in Las Vegas, NV from Oct 9–12. Men’s Open Bodybuilding stars met for check-ins and sized each other up before the competition.
Last year, Samson Dauda defied the odds to become the 19th athlete to earn the Sandow trophy. However, his momentum came to a screeching halt months later at the Arnold Classic, where Derek Lunsford exacted his revenge. Instead of sitting out until Olympia, Lunsford got right back in action and took out Nick Walker at the Pittsburgh Pro.
To qualify in 2025, Walker committed to the New York Pro and won the show handily. Having missed the Olympia for the last two years, fans expect “The Mutant” to bring size and freak factor that’s never been seen onstage. We are just hours away from the contest, and IFBB Pros are ready to battle.
Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, & Derek Lunsford Get First Look at Each Other During 2025 Mr. Olympia Athlete Check-Ins
In the video, Dauda spoke about his expectations heading into his title defense. He emphasized that he’s the only top bodybuilder in control of his own destiny, whereas the chances of other contenders winning hinge on him being off.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
“I’m ready to retain the title,” said Samson Dauda. “My destiny is in my own hands. I’m probably the only guy in that top four that all I’ve got to do is control my own events, and that’s it.
I don’t have to worry about anybody else. If I focus on me, focus on bringing my A-game, there’s not anything somebody can do about it. For me, that’s a real driving force.”
Walker kept it short and sweet; when asked how he’s feeling, he responded, “Like a winner.”
“The way I should be feeling — like a winner,” said Walker. “I’m authentic. What you see on the internet is what you get in person. I’m a hard worker. I persevere, I overcome, and then I win.”
Despite the deep lineup, “The Mutant” said he’ll be the last one standing on Saturday night.
“Look, these guys are very competitive, these guys are all great champions, but I am The Mutant for a reason, and I will be the last man standing come Saturday night.”
As for Lunsford, his focus on winning bodybuilding’s first ‘Triple Crown’ is all the fuel he needs heading into Olympia.
“The Triple Crown is the Arnold Classic, the legacy show of the Pittsburgh Pro, and the Mr. Olympia,” said Lunsford. “I feel great, man. This whole year I’ve been laser-focused.”
“I feel the Mr. Olympia title is my title. I wanted to come back and get that back this year. I said, no way, we’re not waiting until the Olympia, I’m going to go right into the Arnold and beat the guy that just beat me at the Olympia last year.”
Highlights:
Bodybuilding legends have revealed their picks leading into the show. Former eight-time champ Ronnie Coleman backed Hadi Choopan to regain the title. He predicted Dauda would slip to fourth place. In contrast, Lee Haney has Dauda coming out on top and doesn’t see Lunsford cracking the top five.
The 2025 Mr. Olympia is set to be historic with huge stakes on the line. Fitness Volt will have live coverage throughout the weekend.
Get Prepared for 2025 Mr. Olympia
Previews
- 2025 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open Bodybuilding Preview
- 2025 Classic Physique Olympia Preview
- 2025 Men’s 212 Olympia Preview
- 2025 Mr. Olympia Final Qualified Athletes for All Divisions and Schedule
How to Watch
- How To Watch 2025 Mr. Olympia Online Livestream
- Watch the 2025 Mr. Olympia Press Conference Live and See All Athletes Ahead of Las Vegas
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
Relive every moment from the 2025 Mr. Olympia, including prejudging, highlights, expert analysis, and full results. Explore our Olympia hub: FitnessVolt.com/olympia. For minute-by-minute coverage, follow our Live Blog.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
