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On Episode 275 of \u201cThe Menace Podcast,\u201d host Dennis James was joined by regular guests Chris Cormier and Milos Sarcev and, just days out from the highly anticipated Arnold Classic finals, the crew made their predictions in regard to who could win one of the biggest shows in bodybuilding.<\/p>\n
The Arnold Classic Open division winner will take home the biggest single check over given to a competitive bodybuilder \u2014 a cool $750,000K, while the prize money for Men\u2019s Classic Physique is also at record numbers, matching Olympia\u2019s jackpot of $100K. To breakdown who could make the most bank in Columbus, the gang got together to discuss who could walk away from each of these divisions as respective winners.<\/p>\n
Having won the Arnold with an incredible display last year, Mike \u201cThe Badass\u201d Sommerfeld is the man to beat in 2026, but Dennis James feels that Wesley Vissers could pose a huge threat. \u201cThe Menace\u201d feels that Vissers, who won the Arnold in 2024, is currently in the best shape of his career. Chris Cormier noted that \u201cThe Dutch\u201d Oak would have to correct some of his perceived weaknesses, however, and display more mass on his legs, but James felt that those recent blurry photos, teased by Vissers, gave a glimpse of a filler lower-half<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t know if that (fuller look in his legs) is gonna be there when he\u2019s dry,\u201d noted The Menace. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think he\u2019s going for, you know, super-duper peeled. He\u2019s going to have to find a happy medium to stay fuller, especially in the lower-half, and I think if he can pull that off, I think he can actually challenge Mike.\u201d<\/p>\n Milos Sarcev felt that not having a \u201csmall\u201d waist or \u201cpowerful quads\u201d could let The Dutch Oak down on the night, but he said that in terms of his chest and shoulders, \u201cnobody has what Wesley does.\u201d<\/p>\n Prediction: A top two showdown between Mike Sommerfeld and Wesley Vissers * Breaking News: Shortly after this episode was broadcast, Mike Sommerfeld missed his weight limit and could be out of the final, pending an official announcement.<\/p>\n The Open division will see a fresh battle for bodybuilding\u2019s biggest payday because Derek Lunsford is taking some well-earned time out having won this competition, and the Olympia, last year. Samson Dauda will also be missing action as he is focusing on the 2026 Mr Olympia event. Conversely, Andrew Jacked has emerged as a serious contender for the Arnold, after his third place showing in Las Vegas, and Martin Fitzwater is also turning heads with his current physique.<\/p>\n \u201cI put Martin in second, fighting Andrew,\u201d shared Dennis James. \u201cIt makes sense, they\u2019ve been close before,\u201d agreed Chris Cormier. \u201cI think Martin looks more balanced than I\u2019ve seen him, of late. I\u2019m gonna go Martin second.\u201d<\/p>\n Milos Sarcev made a case for Hadi Choopan to win, noting that when he\u2019s at the top of his game, the Iranian is \u201cUnbeatable,\u201d but James speculated whether his recent controversies may hinder his ability to stay in shape.<\/p>\n Prediction:<\/strong> Andrew Jacked (Consensus)<\/p>\n To watch the full episode, where the panel also discussed Hadi Choopan and the latest bodybuilding news, see below.<\/p>\nOpen Divisions Predictions on TMP<\/h3>\n