Brazilian Bodybuilder Rafael Brandao has ambitious plans on deck for the 2026 season. On Jan. 13, 2026, he joined Jay Cutler to discuss his prep for the 2026 Arnold Classic. Additionally, Brandao revealed future contest plans.
Brandao’s aesthetics and shape turned him into a top Men’s Open threat. In 2024, he maintained a busy schedule, competing multiple times throughout the year. He beat expectations at the Arnold Classic, where he secured bronze behind Samson Dauda and winner Hadi Choopan.
Weeks later, Brandao secured the Arnold Classic South America title in a close event against Tonio Burton. He didn’t stop there; he traveled overseas to the Romania Muscle Fest Pro and won handily. After taking the 2025 season off, an improved Brandao is ready to shock the world in Columbus, Ohio.
Rafael Brandao Discusses 2026 Arnold Classic Prep and Reveals Contest Plans
In the video, Brandao reflected on reaching 300 pounds in the off-season. He feels he’s at his best heading into the Arnold Classic.
“I had a good off-season. It’s the first time I hit 300 pounds. It was hard for me because I’m the guy who loses the weight really fast. I needed to keep feeding and eating. But now, we are under 10 weeks to the Arnold Classic and I’m feeling I am at my best right now.”
He emphasized that he has nothing to lose in Ohio, as opposed to contenders like Choopan and Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea.
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“I think we’re going to bring something different,” he shared. “Hadi, Angel, all these guys. It’ll be amazing. I’m going there, and I have nothing to lose.”
Dieting for the Arnold Classic has gone smoothly, according to Brandao. He expects to weigh around 266-267 pounds onstage.
“262 [is the heaviest my stage weight has been]. I think I’m going to be like 266-267, probably,” said Brandao. “I’m not too fat. I’m 285-286. So, if I lose like 20 pounds, I think I’m going to be shredded. I don’t think I need to lose more than that to be in condition.”
“I do low carbs, medium carbs, and high carbs. My low-carb days is 300 grams. It’s a good amount of carbs. Off days are high carbs.”
As for future contests, he teased competing at the Pittsburgh and New York Pro.
“No, no, no, because I want to go to Pittsburgh,” he shared. “Yeah [I’m going to compete there]. Not yet [haven’t finalized my plans] but I want to go there. Yeah, this is one show I want to go and I said to Steve, [I’d like to come to] New York.”
“It’s a good show. I’ve always said I want to go there and get this ring. It’s really cool.”
If Brandao wants to become the new Arnold Classic champ, he has a group of top-tier threats to get through. Choopan and Jacked are the clear on-paper favorites, given that they secured spots two and three on the podium at Olympia.
Brandao intends to bring his best and biggest physique to date in Columbus, Ohio. The 2026 Arnold Classic will award $750,000 to its Open winner and takes place March 5-8.
Watch the full video from the Cutler Cast YouTube channel below:
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