Tensions have flared between Nick Walker and Samson Dauda following the 2024 Mr. Olympia. On December 29, 2024, Dauda responded to Walker suggesting he ‘left the door a little open’ en route to securing his maiden Olympia title in October.
‘The Mutant’ withdrew from the 2023 Olympia due to injury. His bad fortune bled into the 2024 competitive season as he also bowed out of the 2024 Olympia. He and his former coach, Matt Jansen, confirmed his body wasn’t ready for the stage.
Meanwhile, Dauda nailed his peak to become the newly crowned Mr. Olympia champion. And while he overcame Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford to secure the Sandow trophy, Nick Walker wasn’t entirely convinced of his dominance after the triumph.
Samson Dauda Responds to Nick Walker for Disputing His 2024 Mr. Olympia Victory
When asked who could make a run as a dominant Mr. Olympia winner for years to come, Walker named Samson Dauda, but emphasized that he still ‘left the door a little open’ at the last Olympia event.
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“I could say Samson if he ever came in completely bone dry. I almost think that could be a very unbeatable type of look we just haven’t seen it yet. That’s why I said, he deservingly won the Olympia and I said that a million times but he still left the door a little open there.” Walker shared.
Dauda took issue with Walker’s statement, underlining that ‘You win a show or you lose a show; that’s the end of it.’
“Is the plan to come in better condition to close the door because they all said you didn’t slam at the O[at Olympia]? Dude, I don’t know what this slam, and close, and kick the door whatever.
Dude, you win a show or you lose a show; that’s the end of it. There is no slam the door, hold the door. This is a freakin competition show, the judges pick who wins.”
Looking ahead, Dauda intends to improve his conditioning as well as different muscle groups.
“That’s how it’s going to be. Once you’ve done that you won the show, you won the show. I find it funny people start saying he didn’t slam the door, close the door. Did he win?
Yeah. That’s it, done. You know what? The plan is always to be better for our next show. Always, always to be better for our next show not just better condition but we always want to improve muscle groups as well,” shares Dauda.
Check out Dauda’s reshared Instagram story post below:
Fans hope to see Walker and Dauda square off again soon. In their last encounter, which came at the 2023 Arnold Classic, ‘The Nigerian Lion’ pulled off the victory thanks to his aesthetic proportions and shape. To make his way back to the 2025 Mr. Olympia, Walker has set his sights on the Pittsburgh Pro in May.
Dauda has decided to enter the 2025 Arnold Classic, incentivized by the $500,000 Men’s Open prize. If Walker can clinch his qualification, fans expect a fiery showdown when they meet again on stage.
RELATED: Reigning Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda Shares Monstrous Physique Update 9 Weeks from 2025 Arnold Classic
Find the video from The Mutant and the Mouth Podcast YouTube channel below:
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