{"id":13799,"date":"2026-01-29T16:59:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=13799"},"modified":"2026-01-29T16:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:59:25","slug":"shawn-ray-questions-hadi-choopans-chances-at-2026-arnold-classic-doesnt-agree-with-samson-dauda-growing-to-350-lbs-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=13799","title":{"rendered":"Shawn Ray Questions Hadi Choopan’s Chances at 2026 Arnold Classic, Doesn’t Agree With Samson Dauda Growing to 350 Lbs \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Attention has quickly turned to the stacked 2026 Arnold Classic. On Jan. 28, 2026, Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo discussed why conditions are ripe for Hadi Choopan to lose in Columbus, OH. They also talked about Samson Dauda\u2019s decision to grow to 350 pounds.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2026 Arnold Classic<\/a> (AC) will see a crop of the world\u2019s best Open contenders fight for gold. Hadi Choopan<\/a> is the on-paper favorite, having secured the silver medal the last three years at the Mr. Olympia. However, with political unrest shaking up Iran, questions about whether he\u2019ll make it to the show have picked up.<\/p>\n

Assuming Choopan does make it to the event, he\u2019ll face off against third-place Olympia finisher Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a>. Jacked\u2019s been on fire since his breakout performance in Vegas. He recently won the 2025 Romania Pro, so he can compete at the AC without worrying about his Olympia qualification.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beyond Jacked, \u201cThe Persian Wolf\u201d will have to get past Martin Fitzwater<\/a> and Nick Walker<\/a>. The stakes are high; whoever wins the Open title at the AC will secure a massive $750,000 payday<\/a>. Additionally, the champion will become an instant contender for the Olympia contest on the horizon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shawn Ray on Choopan\u2019s 2026 Arnold Classic Chances and Dauda Growing to 350 Lbs\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the video, Cicherillo stressed that politics could prevent Choopan from making it to the US.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cUnfortunately, this is just the politics of just not our sport, but any sport. We are going to go on the idea in any of our predictions and things because it keeps things a lot cleaner, that he will be able to get to the Arnold. Let\u2019s go on that assumption,\u201d said<\/a> Cicherillo.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He added that Choopan could be distracted at the event, given the political environment in his home country:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think it would be the most distracting of all competitions for him to participate in, knowing the family and friends, and the relationships he has going on back in Iran, which is a country under siege, at war, and the unpredictability of training, dieting, and leaving your family, basically to make life-changing money.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According to Ray, if Choopan\u2019s mind isn\u2019t locked in for victory, the \u2018conditions are ripe\u2019 for him to lose in OH.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf his mind is not 100 percent on winning that show, this is one where he can get beat. Right now, the conditions are ripe for Hadi to take his eye off the ball,\u201d explained Ray.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Looking at Dauda\u2019s latest progress, both Ray and Cicherillo had doubts about him growing to over 350 pounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Get Fitter, Faster<\/em><\/h3>\n

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cIt doesn\u2019t work being bigger when you\u2019re standing next to harder, smaller, bodybuilders. It works against you,\u201d said Ray.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI do like the idea that he\u2019s staying off the stage but I don\u2019t agree with going up to 340, 350. I just think that\u2019s a lot of weight to take down. Listen, he\u2019s over 40 or almost 40, I should say. Let\u2019s just say he is 40. That skin elasticity doesn\u2019t last forever. I don\u2019t care who you are,\u201d said Cicherillo.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With the event approaching, Iain Valliere offered his top three Open picks<\/a>. He believes Choopan will secure his second AC title, with Jacked and Martin Fitzwater taking spots two and three. As for Walker, Cicherillo predicted that he would finish in fourth place<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Choopan make it to the US, Cicherillo and Ray believe he still faces an uphill battle en route to gold. The 2026 Arnold Classic takes place March 5-8 in Columbus, OH.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Lee Priest Says Nick Walker\u2019s Best Days Aren\u2019t Behind Him, Argues He Could Beat Hadi Choopan at 2026 Arnold Classic<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the VOB Media YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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Attention has quickly turned to the stacked 2026 Arnold Classic. On Jan. 28, 2026, Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo discussed why conditions are ripe for Hadi Choopan to lose in Columbus, OH. 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