{"id":16903,"date":"2026-03-31T23:56:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T23:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=16903"},"modified":"2026-03-31T23:56:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T23:56:00","slug":"lee-priest-tells-joseph-baena-critics-to-shut-the-fu-up-labels-andrew-jacked-the-favorite-for-2026-mr-olympia-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=16903","title":{"rendered":"Lee Priest Tells Joseph Baena Critics to Shut the Fu** Up, Labels Andrew Jacked the Favorite for 2026 Mr. Olympia \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Lee Priest is still keeping tabs on up-and-coming talent and established Men\u2019s Open stars. On March 31, he defended Joseph Baena against criticisms after his bodybuilding debut. In addition, he labeled Chinedu Andrew \u201cJacked\u201d Obiekea the favorite for the 2026 Mr. Olympia.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2026 bodybuilding season is fully underway. After flying under the radar, Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a>\u2018s son Joseph Baena made his highly anticipated amateur debut. At the 2026 NPC Natural Colorado State Championships,<\/a> the rising star secured three gold medals and a silver.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the Pro circuit, Jacked dominated the 2026 Arnold Classic UK<\/a> lineup. He became the first bodybuilder to ever earn $1 million<\/a> in prize earnings within a single month. Having clinched three straight victories since his third-place finish at Mr. Olympia, Jacked is ready to turn heads in Vegas this September.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lee Priest Labels Jacked the Favorite for 2026 Mr. Olympia, Gives Opinion on Joseph Baena\u2019s Bodybuilding Debut<\/h2>\n

In the IFBB AMA<\/em> YouTube video, Priest spoke on Joseph Baena facing comparisons to Schwarzenegger.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

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

\n

\u201cHe\u2019s always going to be compared to his father, which you know, you\u2019re never going to be Arnold. There\u2019s only one Arnold like there\u2019s only one Ronnie or one Sergio, they\u2019ll compare a younger Sergio to his father, but you know he loves to train.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He shared that Baena likely chose to compete because he wanted to see if he could commit to a goal and accomplish it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen I see him at Gold\u2019s Gym, we always have good talks. I think it\u2019s just a goal for him. If you\u2019re training sometimes, you want to have a goal. When you set a goal to compete, it\u2019s always easier to stick to a diet and go through that shit you have to go through.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Priest had a blunt response to those criticizing Baena\u2019s physique, telling them to \u2018shut the fu** up.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOkay, he\u2019s natural, but to say what? He\u2019s not big enough like his dad. Shut up, people. Half the ones that talk this shit have never done anything themselves, so shut the fu** up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Looking ahead, he labeled Jacked the favorite for the 2026 Mr. Olympia over Samson Dauda<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cProbably [Andrew Jacked is the favorite] because as good as Samson looks; he looks massive now in those pictures of him, but I don\u2019t know, there\u2019s something about Andrew.<\/p>\n

He has that more cartoonish look standing onstage. That\u2019s probably going to be where your eyes go, just from his shoulders and calves, even though they are high up they stick out and his tiny waist,\u201d Lee Priest said<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According to Priest, Jacked\u2019s freak factor could give him the edge against Dauda.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

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

\n

\u201cSamson has good symmetry, don\u2019t get me wrong, but Andrew has that other level of freaky-looking to his body. It\u2019s going to be interesting for sure if both are in shape.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jacked has made it clear he wants to battle it out against Dauda<\/a> at the Mr. Olympia. He noted that they boast similar structures and strengths, making it a tough showdown to predict. He hopes to have a two-man callout with \u201cThe Nigerian Lion\u201d in Vegas to determine who truly has the edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear if Jacked will compete again before the biggest event of the year makes its return. The 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/a> is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0Lee Priest says Classic Physique Should Be Amateur Only, Hints That Nick Walker Could Skip 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the IFBB AMA YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n