{"id":21621,"date":"2026-06-05T00:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T00:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=21621"},"modified":"2026-06-05T00:17:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T00:17:02","slug":"tonio-burton-warns-martin-fitzwater-is-in-danger-at-2026-mr-olympia-says-he-has-a-target-on-his-back-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=21621","title":{"rendered":"Tonio Burton Warns Martin Fitzwater Is \u2018In Danger\u2019 at 2026 Mr. Olympia, Says ‘He Has a Target on His Back’ \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It\u2019s hunting season for Tonio Burton, and he intends to move up the Open ladder at the 2026 Mr. Olympia. In a YouTube video from May 27, he warned Martin Fitzwater that he has a target on his back.<\/strong> Burton also predicted that he could win the Mr. Olympia in two or three years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Burton has quickly emerged as a top threat in the IFBB Pro League. At the 2025 Mr. Olympia<\/a>, he secured eighth place and used that momentum in his next outing. Burton dominated the Mexico Pro<\/a> less than two weeks later. Despite qualifying for the 2026 Mr. Olympia early, Burton pushed on, proving himself at a trio of highly competitive events.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Burton won the New York Pro<\/a> against Michal \u2018Krizo\u2019 Krizanek<\/a>. They rematched at the Pittsburgh Pro<\/a>, where he narrowly lost against the Slovakian mass monster. In his last outing, Burton successfully defended his title at the Legion Sports Fest Pro<\/a>. Looking ahead, Burton believes he has the tools to take out some big-name bodybuilders in Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tonio Burton Says He Can Win Mr. Olympia in 2-3 Years, Talks Potential Martin Fitzwater Matchup\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the video, Burton stressed that unless his rivals outweigh him by 50 to 60 pounds, they aren\u2019t big enough to stand against him onstage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe way I see it now is I just beat Krizo. How many of them are bigger than Krizo? I feel like if you\u2019re not outweighing me by 50, 60-plus pounds, then you\u2019re too small. You put me next to anyone, I look bigger and I get harder as I pose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He explained that competitors who pursue conditioning could drop some size, which is where he can capitalize:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s where I think a lot of people\u2019s downfalls are, is they try to come in conditioned and in shape as they should, but that scale drops too low\u2026 then I\u2019m in striking distance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Burton didn\u2019t mince words; he stated that Fitzwater\u2019s spot is in jeopardy at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you do when I look just as big, and I\u2019m more conditioned? So, I think Martin is in danger if he decides to do Olympia, which I hope he does. I hope his mental is better,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cI think Martin has a target on his back right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe definitely has to look over his shoulder. Nick is looking crazier and crazier, same thing with Samson. Andrew is hot right now. Derek is hot. Don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on with Hadi. I\u2019ve seen an update he did,\u201d shared Burton. \u201cHe looks like a monster right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Within two or three years, Burton believes he can win the sport\u2019s most prestigious title:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf we keep making progress the way we\u2019ve been, I can see or challenge to win the Olympia I say about two or three years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Burton has the bodybuilding community talking. Judge Terrick El Guindy shared that he resembles Dexter Jackson<\/a> and can see him reaching the first callout at the 2026 Mr. Olympia. Moreover, Lee Priest predicted he could finish in the top six<\/a> when the event makes its return.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Burton\u2019s confidence is reaching an all-time high thanks to a string of consistently strong performances. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Bodybuilder Tonio Burton Fires Back Against Synthol Accusations After 2026 New York Pro Win<\/a><\/p>\n\n