Less than six months stand between Samson Dauda and the 2026 Mr. Olympia. On April 2, he discussed his ‘Gladiator Mindset,’ facing off against Andrew Jacked, and why he won’t underestimate reigning champ Derek Lunsford.
Redemption has defined Samson Dauda‘s path back to the Sandow trophy. While he entered the 2025 Mr. Olympia as the champion, he ultimately left Vegas without the crown. His pursuit of drier conditioning backfired, and he fell to fourth place.
He attempted to rebound at the 2025 Prague Pro, but came up short against Martin Fitzwater. Since then, Dauda has made it clear that he’s bringing the 350-pound ‘monster’ back to the stage. However, when the Olympia makes its return, it will be an uphill battle for Dauda. Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea boasts insane momentum, laying claim to victories at the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK contests.
Additionally, Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan are in the hunt for top spots in Vegas. With the blockbuster show approaching soon, Dauda offered an inside look into his mentality and prep. He also sized up which contenders could give him the biggest test.
Samson Dauda on ‘Gladiator Mindset’ for 2026 Mr. Olympia, Wants Andrew Jacked Showdown
In the YouTube video, Dauda acknowledged the hype behind Jacked, but said the athletes who are staying quiet are sometimes the most threatening.
“We know what the task at hand has to be, and we’re focused on that. We understand the hype and everything else, but we also watch the guys quietly in the background. Those are the ones you always have to keep your eye on.”
Dauda hopes the 2026 Mr. Olympia is the year where he finally gets a two-man battle with Jacked. He added that he won’t underestimate Lunsford when they meet again.
“For me, I’ve been waiting a long time for a two-man battle with Andrew. I’ve been egging at it. Even last year, the Arnold in 2025, I was hoping that was going to be the case. I’ve been waiting for this battle for a long time and I’m super excited that it’s happening. At the same time, like I said, you can never underestimate Derek.”
To get back in the winner’s circle, Dauda said he’s adopted a ‘Gladiator’s Mindset.’
“When I look at these guys, I look at their flaws, I look at what their strengths are, and I compare them to mine. Okay, right, this is what I need to work on. What shots is he going to have over me? Okay, I need to make those shots better. And what shots do I already have over him? I have to make them dominant.”
“I’ll go tit for tat, break everything down, and I’ll screw up my training to match that spot. I feel like it’s the mindset, it’s the Gladiator Mindset of okay, I want to win,” Samson Dauda said.
Dauda isn’t after a single outcome; he’ll leave with his head held high if he can go shot-for-shot with the best in the world.
“I want to come on there and hit shot-for-shot. Regardless of what the result is at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter to me. When I stand there and go shot-for-shot, it’s okay, let’s go for it, and you do your homework. For me, that’s my reward right there. Now we have a battle.”
Dauda isn’t the only one calling for the Andrew Jacked showdown. “The Mona Lisa of Bodybuilding” himself has also stressed that he wants a two-man callout with Dauda. He believes they share similar strengths, like towering height and symmetry.
The bodybuilding community believes the next Mr. Olympia winner could be decided by the Jacked-Dauda battle. Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo have both suggested that Jacked and Dauda will fight for first and second place at the Mr. Olympia.
Fans are curious if Dauda’s new mindset will help him when he faces off against the lineup. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
