Nick Walker isn’t short on confidence heading into his next show. In a YouTube video from June 17, 2026, he warned his competition that he plans to dominate the Tampa Pro and bring an even stronger look to the Olympia.
For a moment, fans thought Walker’s career might have been over. He missed the mark at the 2025 Mr. Olympia and dropped to sixth place. After the outcome, he parted ways with his coach Kyle Wilkes. This set the groundwork for Walker’s impressive comeback at the 2026 Arnold Classic, which saw him claim second place against Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea.
“The Mutant” has yet to qualify for this year’s Olympia, but that could change soon. He announced his entry for the upcoming Tampa Pro and tapped a new coach to lead preparations. With showtime approaching, Walker discussed his mentality less than seven weeks before stepping back onstage.
Nick Walker Says He Plans to ‘Annihilate and Embarrass Everybody’ at the 2026 Tampa Pro
In the video, Walker laid out his expectations for the Tampa Pro. While he respects other competitors, he wants to show the world that he’s on a different level:
“I don’t take nobody lightly, I’ll say that now, but I’m not just coming to win… I’m coming to annihilate. I’m coming to embarrass everybody. I want everyone to see that there is a big separation between me and my opponents, and I say that with the most respect to everybody competing.”
He intends to present his best in Tampa and look even better at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
“But there will be distance, and a long distance,” he added. “But again, I take no one lightly. Whatever show I do, I don’t care who is in it. I train to be 100% at every show I do, and I plan to be just that in Tampa. Then, become even better for the Olympia.”
The official competitor list for the Tampa Pro hasn’t been revealed. However, mass monster Jo Palacios will be in attendance. Bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto stressed that it won’t be an easy win for Walker, with Lee Priest echoing a similar message.
“It could be close. If Nick fucks up, Jo is going to be right there,” said Priest. “Normally, when Nick is in a show, it’s someone like Nick and someone else; there’s no one comparable, but Jo and him are pretty comparable on freaky size and that freaky type of look. It’s going to be interesting.”
Walker appears to be in a good headspace as preparations heat up. The 2026 Tampa Pro will take place from July 30 to August 1 in Tampa, Florida.
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