Nick Walker isn’t staying quiet in the lead-up to his Mr. Olympia return. On Sept. 18, 2025, he joined Fouad Abiad to discuss his matchups with Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda next month.
The 2025 Mr. Olympia is extra special for Nick Walker. He missed out on the prestigious show for the last two years, once due to injury, and the other time because his body wouldn’t respond to prep. As a reminder of his potential, Walker returned at the Pittsburgh Pro and pushed Lunsford in the finals to take second place.
He bounced back at the 2025 New York Pro and won handily, securing his passage for the Mr. Olympia. With the event taking place in three weeks, Walker laid out why he believes he’ll be the next athlete to secure the Sandow trophy.
Nick Walker Calls Out Lunsford Ahead of 2025 Olympia, Breaks Down Dauda Battle Pose for Pose
In the video, Walker called Lunsford ‘disrespectful as fu**,’ and warned him that a shitstorm is coming at the Olympia.
“I don’t care to worry about who likes me and who doesn’t. It’s not good. Derek’s got a shitstorm coming bro. If I’m going to be honest, I think that was disrespectful as fuck,” said Walker.
“If it’s a game, it’s the worst game ever. I don’t think he means any ill intention, I really don’t, but the way it comes off, and the way he says it, it’s like huh? What are you talking about?”
Looking at his progress, Walker revealed he’s 280 pounds and said he’ll be the biggest guy onstage.
“We never got fat [after competing] we didn’t get out of shape, we stayed lean, so all the tissue just turned into muscle. I’m 280 right now, and my ass is more crisp than it was onstage in New York. My back even came up more than what it was.
Hamstrings are more dug out. I think my chest has come up. I think my waist has even chiseled in even more than it was. It’s not that it’s a size game, but size is a factor. Pound for pound, I’m the biggest guy on that stage.”
As for Dauda, Walker was impressed by his new conditioning, but cautioned that it could water down his back shots.
“He looked great [guest posing]. You can tell he’s obviously extremely focused on condition,” Walker said. “I’m going to take him regardless [if he’s more conditioned or not].”
“No, [shredded glutes alone won’t sway judges], because what if he loses other body parts? Do you think striated glutes is going to be the game-changer? Because I don’t. What if he has striated glutes, but he lost some back? Then, I come in with shredded hammies, shredded glutes, and a big fuckin back, that’s all I need [is two poses].”
He said his side poses, most muscular, and abs and thigh are all shots he can win over Dauda at Olympia.
“I win side shots. I’ll win the most muscular. I’ll give him the front shots. Abs and thigh definitely mine.”
There have been conversations about Walker’s potential in his Mr. Olympia return. Bodybuilding veteran Shawn Ray believes Walker can place as high as fourth, but doesn’t see him getting past Dauda, Hadi Choopan, or Lunsford.
After waiting over two years for redemption, Walker is closing in on his third Mr. Olympia appearance. Historically, he has only moved up placings since competing at the event. Do you think Walker can win the Mr. Olympia title in 2025?
RELATED: Nick Walker Shares His Top 5 Picks for the 2025 Mr. Olympia
Watch the full video from the Hosstile 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.
