Shawn Ray is sounding the alarm on Samson Dauda’s prep for the 2026 Mr. Olympia. In a September 16 video, he said Dauda hasn’t improved since last year and urged him to ramp up cardio and a zero-carb diet if he hopes to win the event.
“I actually think he’s behind. I’m a moron, I’m a hater. I predicted Samson would win the Olympia. After what I saw over the weekend, I would have him on zero carbs and tons of cardio, trying to play catch-up.”
In 2024, Dauda secured his lone Mr. Olympia title. A year later, his aim for better conditioning worked against him. He looked undersized and flat, and lost against Derek Lunsford’s density. After taking a lengthy off-season, Dauda returned at the 2026 Europa Pro, just 11 days before the upcoming Olympia contest.
He ended up winning the show handily, but questions about his physique have surfaced. While Bob Cicherillo thought he wasn’t behind or ahead, Shawn Ray had a totally different opinion on his progress.
Shawn Ray Tells Samson Dauda to Play Catch-Up for 2026 Mr. Olympia
In the video, Ray emphasized that Dauda is behind and took nothing away from his Europa Pro victory given the level of competition he faced.
“He is not ahead. If you stand me next to a teenager in high school, I look like Mr. Olympia today, and I don’t even body-build anymore, I exercise. He wasn’t standing next to anybody that’s going to be a threat when it comes time for the Mr. Olympia. So, he looks that much more impressive.”
“This is a guy, Regan Grimes, who didn’t make the top 10, sat out of Olympia, he lost to Hollingshead, I believe it was over in Atlanta, and he didn’t win the Toronto Pro a year ago. He didn’t cross the top 10 a year ago. So, you’re standing Samson next to a guy that’s not in the top 10 when Samson already has a Sandow trophy.”
He added that Dauda was supposed to look dominant and simply didn’t see the improvements on his physique that were touted online:
“He’s supposed to look like a Ferrari next to a Volkswagen,” he shared. “That is not a measurement of progress when you’re that much more advanced as a bodybuilder.”
“I’m not excited. It looked like a guest posing. He needed it but I did not see whatever improvements these people are talking about. I didn’t see it.”
With time running out, Ray warned that Dauda’s skin is too thick, which is blurring his muscle separation.
“We are two weeks out. Does he look better now than he did when he got fourth at the Olympia? I say no. That’s why I’m saying he’s got more ground to make up. His skin is very thick. The cuts are not there.”
Public confidence in Samson Dauda continues to grow before the Olympia. Sergio Oliva Jr. recently predicted that he’d win the competition. Meanwhile, former seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath suggested that it’s a wrap for his rivals if Dauda presents a peeled look onstage.
A week stands between competitors and ‘The Super Bowl of Bodybuilding.’ The 2026 Mr. Olympia takes place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s livestream will be completely free.
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