The countdown to the 2026 Mr. Olympia is officially underway. In an August 4 YouTube video, Shahriar Kamali (King Kamali) predicted Nick Walker could upset Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan when they meet again in Las Vegas.
After falling to sixth place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, fans questioned Nick Walker‘s future in the sport. However, “The Mutant” put those concerns to rest at the 2026 Arnold Classic. He didn’t claim the $1 million winner’s purse, but secured a close second place against Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea).
To earn his ticket back to the Olympia, Walker dominated the 2026 Tampa Pro with an all-time best look. His waist control improved, and bodybuilding veterans have taken notice of his better aesthetics. Looking ahead, Kamali predicts Walker has the tools to take out reigning two-time Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford.
King Kamali Warns Derek Lunsford About Nick Walker Ahead of 2026 Mr. Olympia
In the video, Kamali revisited Walker’s Tampa Pro victory and shared that his overwhelming muscularity and conditioning won him the show.
“When he walked out, it was obvious that he was on the money. Conditioning is there. Muscularity is there. He still has the stumpy legs, and his upper body is just as long as his lower body and looks weird, but he was so goddamn muscular.”
He called Walker Lunsford’s and Choopan’s kryptonite:
“I’m seeing Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan scared as shit right now. That’s what I see, the short guys. Nick Walker is Hadi’s and Derek’s kryptonite because he’s a short guy with more muscle and he beats them in a few poses. That is scary.”
Though Lunsford’s confidence is higher than ever, Kamali emphasized that Walker can beat him at the Olympia.
“If Derek is going to sit here saying what he’s said over and over again… I’m going to wipe everybody clean at the Olympia. You got to watch Derek; I’m talking to you now, man.
Nick can beat you. He will beat you in those back shots, your money shots. Nick can beat you. He has the hams. It’s not just a glute competition as Milos likes to say. Nick Walker is a big problem for Derek and Hadi,” said King Kamali.
He favored Walker’s chances against shorter competitors, but argued he’d struggle with taller threats like Samson Dauda and Jacked.
“You have a good shot at the Olympia to get in there. I think that it’s going to be a hell of an Olympia. You’re going to have a lot harder time with Samson and Andrew just because of the size issue, but you’re going to really, really give some nightmares to Hadi and Derek.”
Kamali isn’t the only 1990s bodybuilding veteran favoring Walker’s chances against Lunsford. Lee Priest recently assessed the matchup. He explained that if Walker comes into the Olympia ‘one percent tighter,’ he could easily push Lunsford and other contenders aside.
Walker has undeniable momentum heading into his next contest. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fitness Volt will have live coverage.
RELATED: Samson Dauda Calls Nick Walker a Top Threat for the 2026 Mr. Olympia: “It’s Common Sense”
