The Men’s Open landscape in the IFBB Pro League is constantly evolving. Recently, on April 20, 2025, Ronnie Coleman gave Samson Dauda advice to successfully defend the Mr. Olympia title and was doubtful of Derek Lunsford regaining the Sandow trophy.
In 2024, Dauda emerged as the 19th athlete to win the Mr. Olympia, with Lunsford dropping to third. Months later, the 2025 Arnold Classic gave fans a clearer picture of the Men’s Open climate. In the finals, Lunsford edged Dauda out on the scorecards after bringing a perfect combination of condition and fullness.
While Lunsford could have taken time away from the stage, he decided to jump back into prep for the Pittsburgh Pro. It’s a calculated risk, but if it pays off, Lunsford would enter the next Olympia contest with undeniable momentum.
Ronnie Coleman Reveals Samson Dauda’s Path to 2025 Mr. Olympia Title Defense, Doubtful of Derek Lunsford’s Chances
In a recent YouTube video, Coleman expressed doubt about Lunsford’s ability to regain Olympia gold in 2025, emphasizing that “The body only peaks once a year.”
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“You got to pick your poison, whether you want to be an Arnold Classic champion or Olympia champion. You can win one, but you’re not going to win both because I’ve said it a million times, the body only peaks once a year.”
Since Dauda wasn’t at 100% in Ohio, Coleman believes he might nail his peak when he steps back onstage at the Olympia.
“He might peak at the Olympia because he didn’t do it at the Arnold Classic. If he had done that at the Arnold Classic, he would’ve won,” explains Coleman.
Coleman was confident Lunsford could win in Pittsburgh, but felt differently about his chances in Vegas.
“At first I didn’t believe it then I’m thinking well, yeah, him and Tyler they are pretty good. So, I’m like God bless him because he’s going to need it. I’m rooting for him every inch of the way.”
“I don’t think he can do it in all three, but I think he can win that show [Pittsburgh], Jim Manion’s show. I don’t see nobody coming close to him there.”
He also offered some advice to Andrew Jacked, adding that the only thing standing in his way of Olympia gold is muscle maturity and conditioning.
“You can’t rush maturity. That’s the only thing he’s lacking, maturity and conditioning. He’ll eventually get there. He looks awesome from the front but turn around from the back, he’s got to get a little bit harder and that’s just time, that’s time.”
‘The King’ rumored that the Arnold Classic in 2026 will award $600,000 to its Open winner. He also hinted that the Arnold Classic UK will shell out $200,000 in its return.
“They going to give away $600,000, and then they are going to have the Arnold Classic in the UK and they are giving away $200,000. Somebody is going to have a chance to win $800,000 in like three weeks. It took me eight years to win $800,000.”
“Arnold is stepping up to the part now because Joe Weider is no longer around. He’s trying to challenge the Olympia,” says Coleman. “If he increases the thing next year to $600,000, and oh man, and the Olympia is $600,000.”
Coleman predicted that the Arnold Classic Ohio could bump its prize money up to $1 million in the next few years.
“I agree with you [Mr. Olympia will be $1 million in a year or two], especially if they keep battling like they are now. God bless Arnold. If he’s still around in the next three or four years.”
With the Mr. Olympia less than six months away, fans and bodybuilding veterans are offering their predictions. Coach Abdullah Alotaibi suggests Dauda could be toppled in the months to come and envisions Derek Lunsford reclaiming gold at the major event.
Coleman believes Lunsford peaking in other contests outside of the Olympia could hinder his chances of success on the horizon. If Dauda looks comparable to what he brought in 2024, Coleman argues he’s more than capable of reclaiming the throne.
Watch the full video from the Ron Harris Muscle YouTube channel below:
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