Bodybuilding veterans have differing opinions on Nick Walker’s shocking 2026 Mr. Olympia victory. In an October 3 video, Shawn Ray called Walker’s physique ‘ugly’ and said his win was a fluke. He went on to label Samson Dauda as the best bodybuilder on the planet.
In the Men’s Open headliner, Nick Walker dominated prejudging, putting him ahead on the scorecards. Dauda tightened up for the finals, but lacked the points needed to swing the contest in his favor. “The Mutant” established himself as only the 20th champion of the prestigious event. Competing in an era full of aesthetic threats, Ray is surprised to see Walker’s freaky physique representing the sport.
Shawn Ray Talks Nick Walker’s ‘Ugly’ Physique and His 2026 Mr. Olympia Victory
During a recent interview, Ray named Dauda as the best bodybuilder on the planet despite Walker holding the Olympia crown.
“Let’s be honest, Samson is the best bodybuilder on the planet, even though Nick Walker has the title. I say that to quantify it. This is a two-day show. Every pro bodybuilder that steps on that Olympia stage understands. If they don’t, they do now, that it ain’t over till it’s over.”
“Now, on paper, Samson is already Mr. Olympia. He knew what he had to do. He had to go up to 350 pounds and get bigger; he went over and competed in Germany, and whatever. Nick Walker sat back and listened to all the criticism. He heard the pundits talk about the impossible. There’s something to be said for motivation when you hear people tell them you can’t do things.”
He went on to call Walker’s physique ugly and said it was unlike past Mr. Olympia champions:
“As ugly as his physique is, in my opinion, it’s not pretty; we’re never going to use that word for Nick. It’s gritty, gnarly; it’s the mutant. And that’s okay too, because it’s different. If I’m talkin about beauty, I’m talking about Frank Zane. If I’m talking about classical, I’m talking about Samir Bannout.”
Reflecting on the outcome, Ray said Walker’s victory was a fluke and compared his work ethic to Mike Tyson’s.
“I never imagined a physique like Nick Walker would be the best physique on the planet,” he said. “Not only was this a fluke, this was in the making as far as his plan. You go back and listen to Nick Walker when he wasn’t winning, and he’s telling you I’m going to be Mr. Olympia one day.”
“That reminds me of a young Mike Tyson being told by Cus D’Amato at 15 years old that you’re going to be the youngest heavyweight champion one day. At some point, Mike Tyson believed that, and guess what happened? He became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world.”
Ray also holds a strong opinion on Walker’s decision to compete at the 2027 Arnold Classic. He believes it could backfire, the same way it did for Samson Dauda two years ago. He and Bob Cicherillo emphasized that it could hurt his momentum before attempting to defend the Olympia title.
Walker’s Mr. Olympia win is still shaking up the sport. In just a few months, he will be back onstage in Columbus, Ohio, and we will find out if Ray’s statement holds true.
