Retired 1990s mass monster Paul Dillett is breaking down who might reign supreme at the 2026 Mr. Olympia. In a July 23 YouTube video, he shared his top three Men’s Open predictions and explained why Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford won’t reach the podium.
In 2025, Derek Lunsford etched his name into bodybuilding history, becoming a two-time Mr. Olympia champion. While he opted for an off-season to improve his arms and abs, Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea focused on competing. To cement himself as Lunsford’s biggest threat, the Nigerian native won the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK.
Hadi Choopan, meanwhile, finished in third behind Nick Walker at the Arnold Classic. He has teamed up with Milos Sarcev in a bid for redemption. Former Olympia champion Samson Dauda also took some time off, but plans to return bigger than ever. With the prestigious contest just 10 weeks away, Dillett shared who might walk away victorious.
Paul Dillett Breaks Down 2026 Mr. Olympia, Gives Top 3 Men’s Open Predictions
Find his predictions from the video below:
- Winner — Andrew Jacked
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — Hadi Choopan
Dillett left Lunsford out of his top three predictions for the 2026 Mr. Olympia, but likes his pre-contest confidence.
“I think what Derek is doing is great. I see some people say, oh he’s… I’m like if I’m a two-time Mr. Olympia, I’ve earned the right to be a cocky motherfucker.”
“I don’t blame him. I did have a certain arrogance in the gym because, it’s not, I don’t know if the word is arrogant, but just confident. You can’t be going for a title and say, well, I don’t know, maybe, fuck that, you’re going to win.”
He also expressed doubt about Walker’s ability to win the Mr. Olympia or finish in the top three:
“He’s the freak of the show,” shared Dillett. “He does get pretty sucked in there but I just think he was definitely a fan favorite. Is he going to be Mr. Olympia? I would say no. Is he going to be top two? I would say no. Top three? No. But is he going to be the fan favorite? Yes.”
According to Dillett, if Jacked brings the package he brought to the Arnold Classic, he’ll leave Vegas with the Sandow trophy.
“It is 12 weeks out and Andrew looked crazy winning the Arnold. Listen, that Andrew, if that Andrew shows up at the Olympia, it’s lights out. If my boy don’t get it right, because every look that he’s ever had even when he won, that ain’t going to cut it with Andrew. No, no, that’s not going to cut it, man. Andrew looks like a cyborg.”
Dillett believes Jacked will win the Mr. Olympia, but Lunsford doesn’t see that happening while he’s around. They got into a heated back-and-forth during an Olympia Battle workout, with Lunsford telling Jacked he’ll never win the Sandow trophy.
Athletes have until September 30, 2026, to secure their Olympia qualifications. The event is scheduled from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
