Jay Cutler Says Samson Dauda Can ‘Overwhelm’ 2026 Mr. Olympia Field With Massive Size
Jay Cutler believes Samson Dauda’s massive size could be the key to reclaiming the Mr. Olympia title in Las Vegas.
During a recent episode of his Jaywalking podcast, the four-time Mr. Olympia discussed Dauda’s physique following his victory at the 2026 Europa Pro. Rather than trying to out-condition every competitor in the lineup, Cutler believes Dauda can lean into his greatest advantage: being one of the biggest men onstage.
“I think he could,” Cutler said when asked if Dauda could simply overwhelm his competition with size. “I think that’s how he’ll win actually.”
Dauda won the Men’s Open title at the Europa Pro in Offenbach, Germany, on Sept. 13, defeating Regan Grimes and the rest of the field just days before the Olympia. The appearance provided a final look at the former Mr. Olympia champion before he attempts to reclaim the Sandow.
Jay Cutler Says Samson Dauda Should Play To His Strength
Dauda captured his first Mr. Olympia title in 2024 with a combination of tremendous size, shape, and fullness. However, his attempt to bring sharper conditioning in 2025 did not produce the same result, as he fell to fourth place while Derek Lunsford reclaimed the championship.
For Cutler, the lesson may be that Dauda does not necessarily need to beat smaller competitors at their own game.
“He was playing to a strength…If he can be just hard enough, because we always said he doesn’t have to be the most ripped.”
That philosophy comes from Cutler’s own experience battling Ronnie Coleman during his Olympia career. Cutler recalled constantly studying his competition and adjusting his package based on what he believed was necessary to beat the reigning champion.
Dauda now faces a similar strategic question with Lunsford, Nick Walker, Andrew Jacked, and the rest of the loaded 2026 field.
“You know what Lee Haney says: a great big man always beats a great little man.”
Can Samson Dauda Be Too Big To Beat?
Dauda’s Europa Pro appearance only strengthened Cutler’s belief that sheer size could become his biggest weapon.
“He’s so big,” Cutler said.
Later in the discussion, Cutler returned to Dauda’s size while examining how the top contenders could match up onstage.
“Samson with this new size, if he can bring in a little tighter condition from what we saw on Sunday…”
Cutler’s point is not that conditioning can be ignored. Rather, Dauda may only need enough sharpness to complement the size, width, and fullness that few competitors can match.
That creates an intriguing contrast with defending champion Derek Lunsford, whose back development, proportions, and conditioning have helped make him one of bodybuilding’s most complete competitors. Cutler was also careful not to overlook Lunsford, noting that the reigning champion has continued improving, particularly in his legs.
“He won it, lost it, came back to win it,” Cutler said. “Anyone that counts him out, he’s very improved.”
Still, Dauda could present a completely different problem.
Instead of shrinking down in pursuit of extreme conditioning, Cutler appears to believe Dauda’s winning formula is to arrive enormous, full, and just conditioned enough to let his overwhelming size do the rest.
After winning the Europa Pro, Dauda will now attempt to prove that formula works when the 2026 Mr. Olympia takes place Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas.
Image embed via Instagram @samson__dauda
