According to experts, the upcoming Tampa Pro 2026 bodybuilding competition has a clear favorite. Legends Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo explained on a popular podcast why Nick Walker’s victory will likely be a walk in the park, with no real competition. Check out where “The Mutant” has made the biggest strides this year.
Expectations surrounding Nick Walker’s next competition are rapidly soaring to astronomical heights. In a recent episode of the popular podcast *Voice of Bodybuilding*, bodybuilding legends Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo focused on his chances at the upcoming Tampa Pro 2026. Their clear verdict? The competition shouldn’t even be close.
The Arduous Journey Toward the Dream Sandow
The elusive Sandow statuette for the Mr. Olympia champion has become a figurative “final boss” for Nick Walker. In 2025, he fell short of sky-high expectations, was out of form, and had to settle for sixth place—his worst-ever finish at Mr. Olympia. This result left many fans and experts doubting his future among the absolute elite.
However, Walker made a spectacular comeback at the 2026 Arnold Classic. In top form, he was hot on the heels of Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obieke and secured second place. “The Mutant” himself considered this performance a personal victory, as he managed to defeat former champion Hadi Choopan for the first time in his career. Although it looked for a while as though he might take a break to gain more muscle mass, he ultimately announced his participation in the Tampa Pro. His goal is clear: to qualify with ease and shake things up again on the Mr. Olympia stage in September 2026.
Bob Cicherillo Praises His Year-Round Form
In his assessment, Bob Cicherillo highlighted Walker’s new approach to maintaining his form during the off-season. According to him, this is the best thing Walker could have done, as it helps him keep his waistline slimmer—which was one of his most frequently criticized weaknesses in the past.
“I have to give him credit, because he took a lot of criticism this year, but he probably did the smartest thing he could have done. He’s stayed lean all year, right from the start. He never went out of shape. He seems to be in damn good shape, and that’s the best thing for a guy like Nick, because it keeps his waist as small as possible. The slimmer his waist, the better he’ll look on stage,” said Bob Cicherillo.
Despite his words of praise, however, Cicherillo remains objective and points out structural flaws that still persist. He mentioned Walker’s occasional “angularity” and the lack of external quad arch from the front poses.
“From the front, that leg arch just isn’t there. From the back, though, he looks like a completely different person,” explains Cicherillo.
The question, then, remains: to what extent does his overall lean physique mask these inherent proportional limitations?
Shawn Ray: “It shouldn’t even be close”
According to Shawn Ray, considering Walker’s track record and achievements in the Men’s Open category, the outcome in Tampa should be a foregone conclusion.
“He’s had time to make the necessary adjustments. He’ll be facing a field he should easily defeat. On paper, these guys shouldn’t even be in the same bracket as him. It shouldn’t even be close. He should win by a huge margin, though of course he shouldn’t underestimate anything,” Shawn Ray adds unequivocally.
Other legends agree
Ray and Cicherillo aren’t the only ones who see Walker as the competition’s unbeatable favorite. Recently, the iconic Chris “The Real Deal” Cormier also weighed in on the event, arguing that Walker’s unique muscle density, vascularity, and hardness put him “light-years” ahead of the rest of the field in Tampa.
Walker himself is brimming with confidence. For this year’s Tampa Pro, which takes place from July 30 to August 1, he has even scaled back his usually “drastic cardio” and claims to feel better than ever during his preparation. Will Nick Walker live up to the enormous expectations of legendary commentators and secure his ticket to September’s Olympia with a commanding victory? Given his determination and current form, it seems he’s in for a dominant exhibition in Florida rather than a close contest.
Bloated Bellies: Still a thing in Bodybuilding?
No posts have been made yet.
