{"id":22157,"date":"2026-06-11T23:57:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T23:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22157"},"modified":"2026-06-11T23:57:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T23:57:03","slug":"lee-priest-says-nick-walker-can-lose-2026-tampa-pro-if-he-fcks-up-it-could-be-close-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22157","title":{"rendered":"Lee Priest Says Nick Walker Can Lose 2026 Tampa Pro If He ‘F*cks Up’: ‘It Could Be Close’ \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Lee Priest believes Nick Walker could face one of his biggest tests at the 2026 Tampa Pro. In a YouTube video from June 11, 2026, he previewed the showdown between Walker and rising threat Jo Palacios, emphasizing that it could be a close contest.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walker is clawing his way back into the Mr. Olympia title picture. When he performed at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, he missed the mark and fell to sixth place<\/a>. He used the setback as fuel and returned at the 2026 Arnold Classic<\/a> looking better than ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the improvements, \u201cThe Mutant\u201d settled for second place behind Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a>. The loss had major implications, as Walker missed out on $1 million in prize earnings. There was doubt about whether he\u2019d compete again in 2026, but he recently confirmed his entry for the Tampa Pro. Walker also revealed Prabh Dhaliwal as his new coach<\/a> ahead of the contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While still early in his career, Jo Palacios continues to prove himself as a top prospect. He clinched his IFBB Pro card after winning the 2023 NPC Mr. USA Overall title. With his Pro debut coming soon, Priest broke down his chances against Walker.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Lee Priest Discusses Whether Nick Walker Can Lose the 2026 Tampa Pro\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the video, Priest shared that Walker is already in shape leading into the contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ll find out come Tampa. Nick is looking really good now. The guy doesn\u2019t have to tweak too much. Nick is looking in pretty good shape now. My grandmother could give him chicken breast, rice, and a bit of tren, and get him in shape,\u201d Lee Priest shared<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He believes Walker\u2019s margin of error is small; if he misses his peak, Palacios could pull off the upset.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think maybe Nick has competed more, so Nick probably has a little bit more of that polish. We\u2019re judging on Jo\u2019s last show; we haven\u2019t seen how Jo is going to look now with the added size. It could be close. If Nick fucks up, Jo is going to be right there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cNormally, when Nick is in a show, it\u2019s someone like Nick and someone else; there\u2019s no one comparable, but Jo and him are pretty comparable on freaky size and that freaky type of look. It\u2019s going to be interesting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Priest isn\u2019t the only bodybuilding veteran questioning Walker\u2019s chances. Chris Aceto raised concerns over Walker hiring a new coach<\/a> ahead of the Tampa Pro. He stressed that the event won\u2019t be a slam dunk for Walker when they hit the stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The winner of the Tampa Pro will earn their qualification for the biggest show of the year. The 2026 Mr. Olympia takes place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0Bodybuilder Nick Walker Shares Key Training Cue That Helped Him Grow His Chest<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Serious and Silliness Bodybuilding with John Livia YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n