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On Episode 290 of The Menace Podcast,<\/em> host Dennis \u201cThe Menace\u201d James was joined by regular panelists Milos Sarcev and Jose Raymond, and the gang discussed Nick Walker\u2019s chances of winning the 2026 IFBB Tampa Pro against popular contenders like Joe Palacios.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The Tampa Pro will take place between July 30 and August 1, 2026, and is a proving ground where the winner in the Open division will receive qualification for this year\u2019s Mr. Olympia final in Las Vegas. One man who is always considered to be an easy pick is Nick Walker, but he\u2019ll face stiff competition in Florida. That\u2019s because last year\u2019s Tampa Pro finalist, Joe Palacios<\/a>, who came in third,<\/span>\u00a0does not intend to lose this year. So, who will come out on top? Dennis James pointed out that despite Palacios\u2019 recent progress, Walker is still the odds-on favorite to win this year. But Milos Sarcev countered that it won\u2019t be a \u201cwalk in the park.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Milos Sarcev feels that Nick Walker is the \u201cmost popular bodybuilder in the world right now,\u201d because he wasn\u2019t necessarily gifted with the best natural genetics, making him highly relatable. The man they call \u201cThe Mutant\u201d has pushed himself to be the one of the best bodybuilders on the planet, regardless of his physical challenges, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>But isn\u2019t Joe the perfect competition for Nick?\u201d asked James. Sarcev responded that Walker\u2019s pre-match approach, which has seen him appear dismissive of his competition, could wind up being a big mistake. The host agreed, pointing out that underestimating the competition, and then losing, could make Walker look bad in the long run. James also said that being too cocky could lead to audiences rooting for the underdog ahead of the final in Tampa. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely going to be a fun show to watch,\u201d suggested Jose Raymond. \u201cTwo of the freakiest guys in bodybuilding.\u201d The Tampa Pro could certainly be a closer fought fight than Walker would like to believe. \u201cThey compare pretty well,\u201d said James of what could be an enthralling battle.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>To see the full episode of The Menace Podcast on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel, where the crew also dissected the latest bodybuilding new, see below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCould Overconfidence Cost Nick Walker a Tampa Pro Victory?<\/h2>\n