by Christian Duque
First and foremost, Martin Fitzwater has become the most talked about bodybuilder on the pro circuit to date. There’s a very real reason for this as his star has continued to climb since winning in Detroit, getting robbed in New York in 2024, winning twice in Prague and placing Top 5 at the 2025 Olympia.
Fitzwater, or The Martian as he’s called by a growing army of international fans, keeps his head low and does the business of bodybuilding. He’s a competitor with a huge heart who does not engage in the kind of petty squabbles that bog down so many competitors. He’s openly happy, even supportive, of his fellow competitors. And this mindset isn’t limited to when he’s winning or receiving top honors. Martin is legitimately happy, even in defeat, and that’s quite rare. A lot of people just don’t know what to make of him. Media commentators pick on him often. There are those who are bold – being cruel to his face, while others employ passive-aggressive tactics. I can see them all, as Martin has become my favorite bodybuilder since the late great Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden. Flexatron was also targeted by the same type of people who today go after Martin. So why all the efforts at undermining Fitzwater? It’s because he’s the next great champion. Otherwise, he’d be out of sight and out of mind. That’s bodybuilding for ya.
As I said, Martin Fitzwater is the most talked about bodybuilder on the planet. The recent non-incident with Giles “Tiger” Thomas at the 2025 EVLS Prague Pro is another example of the distances Fitzwater’s haters will go. I just hope that if he defends his Prague Pro title and makes it a 3-peat in 2026, that the promoter of that contest will show him the respect he deserves and ensure that he competes in a friendly environment. Otherwise, I suspect he might skip their show altogether. I mean, wouldn’t you? After the shitshow following an inadvertent phone tap, would you want to go back? Especially, since for next year’s Prague Pro, Martin may be Mr. Olympia. Hopefully the promoter in Prague gets his head out of his ass and does right by The Martian.
Martin Fitzwater IS the next Mr. Olympia. It should happen in 2026, but it may take another 1-2 years. Either way is fine. Bodybuilding is not a race, rather, it’s a marathon. If Martin were to move up from 5th to 4th at the 2026 Olympia, that would be a step in the right direction. If he went from 5th to 3rd, that would be huge!! As long as he remains in the Top 6 – at that level and continues winning big shows – his future is set. That said, Martin’s rise won’t take that long. At least not based on his trajectory and not based on his potential. Much like Brandon Curry did in 2018, I suspect that Fitzwater will use his Top 5 placing in 2025 as a springboard to winning the title in 2026.
But here we are, four paragraphs in, and we still haven’t talked about the 2026 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH. Martin will be doing the contest, as well as a second Arnold Classic. For all intents and purposes, however, the original is the big ticket. The Arnold Classic is the 2nd most prestigious bodybuilding contest on the calendar. In terms of prize money, it exceeds the Olympia, but its value in terms of bragging rights is crucial. In recent years, Arnold winners have included Samson, Hadi, Brandon and Derek – all Mr. Olympia champions. Ramy tried his hand at winning the Arnold after losing his second Olympia defense, and placed 5th. The Arnold is as competitive as it gets and would be the perfect springboard for Martin. If he placed Top 5 in the O and then Top 3 in Columbus, he would be in a strategic position to win the 2026 Olympia. Hell, more than strategic, he would be arguably the #1 or #2 contender in terms of public opinion. On a much lesser note in terms of standing for the 2026 Olympia, if he was able to defeat his nemesis Nick “The Mutant” Walker that would settle a running joke. It would finally put to rest a rivalry that lives in the head of many celebrated writers and at least one supplement company owner and media celeb, Fouad Abiad of Hostile Supps.
HS was Martin’s sponsor until recently but is no more. I don’t believe that Abiad ever believed in Martin and when discussing the 2026 Arnold Classic, he felt that Nick Walker would beat him in Columbus. This is despite the fact that Martin bested him at the 2024 NY Pro and actually beat him (on paper this time) at the 2025 Olympia. That said, Walker insists he “missed his peak” at the ‘25 Olympia. I wonder what caused him to skip the ‘23 and ‘24 Olympias. If Nick comes in at 100% in Columbus and Fitzwater beats him there – as I have no doubt he will – then perhaps that will silence the doubters. Then again, when it comes to Martin, the doubters and the haters will never stop. No matter where he wins and no matter how much he improves, the naysayers’ cackles will never subside. I’m not suggesting Fouad is a hater, but he definitely does not see Martin’s real potential. It’s sad, but it’s whatever at this point. He can run the unofficial Nick Walker Fan Club while Martin inches closer and closer to being the #1 bodybuilder in the world. One thing’s for certain, you can’t please everybody, so why bother?
If and when Martin hits his stride, he’ll defeat everyone. And that includes Derek (who’s not defending his Arnold title), Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker or anyone else for that matter. The battle isn’t between Martin and others, rather, it’s all about Martin being the best Martin possible. His physique is complete, it’s aesthetic, and he poses hard. Great posing doesn’t just happen, it comes with hours and hours and more hours of practice. The Martian also understands flow. Flow is like music – it’s art in motion. He understands how to pose, how to hit the mandatories in the light most favorable to his physique. He understands the importance of flow in transitions between poses, as well. He understands the value of staying on point, even when the judges allow competitors to “relax.” There is no relaxing on stage, much less during the prejudging. Even if you’re not in that particular call-out and you’re standing in the wings, you’ll never catch The Martian relaxing. The stage isn’t for that. The stage is all about the business of bodybuilding.
Martin is like a well-oiled machine at this point. Fitzwater may be The Martian, but I also see him as an M1 Abrams. That’s our nation’s main battle tank. It’ll take on any enemy, in any kind of terrain, and it’ll be the last one standing. It’s not a question of if, only when. Martin will be Mr. Olympia, and a big win in Columbus will definitely help pave the way. But whether he wins in Columbus or places Top 3, it will only serve to further validate what I’m saying. Martin’s star continues to soar and the haters will have to eat crow. They can sit and spin for all I care.
As always, I like to leave the final word to you, the loyal readers of IronMag. Do you think Martin will win the 2026 Arnold Classic? Do you think 2026 will be the year he wins the 2026 Olympia? I look forward to reading your feedback in the comments. Please be sure to copy and paste a link to this article on all your social media feeds. It will most definitely generate lively conversation.
