{"id":25720,"date":"2026-07-27T18:25:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T18:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=25720"},"modified":"2026-07-27T18:25:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T18:25:27","slug":"derek-lunsford-explains-why-hes-the-most-dominant-bodybuilder-today-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=25720","title":{"rendered":"Derek Lunsford Explains Why He’s the Most Dominant Bodybuilder Today \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Derek Lunsford<\/a> isn\u2019t marching into his 2026 Mr. Olympia title defense quietly. In a July 24 YouTube video, he fired back at claims that there\u2019s no dominant bodybuilder in the Men\u2019s Open division.<\/strong> In addition, he said his rivals aren\u2019t willing to go to a dark place to take his crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunsford left zero doubt that he was the man to beat following his history-making 2025 bodybuilding season. He won the Arnold Classic<\/a>, Pittsburgh Pro<\/a>, and Mr. Olympia<\/a> consecutively, completing his \u2018Triple Crown\u2019 goal. After reclaiming the Sandow trophy, he became one of only two bodybuilders to achieve the feat, which he shares with Jay Cutler<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite his momentum, some in the sport aren\u2019t fully sold on his dominance in the Men\u2019s Open. Shahriar Kamali, well known as King Kamali, recently argued that Lunsford doesn\u2019t get respect as champion, emphasizing that \u201cnobody has him winning again<\/a>.\u201d With doubts about his potential brewing, Lunsford broke down why he leads the current era of bodybuilding.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Derek Lunsford Asks \u201cHow Many More Times\u201d He Must Prove He\u2019s the Best in the World\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the Straight Outta the Lair Podcast<\/em>, Lunsford clapped back at the idea that we don\u2019t have a dominant bodybuilder competing today:\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

\u201cWe want to talk about how, okay, there\u2019s no dominant bodybuilder in bodybuilding right now? What are you talking about? I beat these guys three times last year. Arnold, Pittsburgh Pro, Olympia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you want to say, well, you only competed against these guys twice last year, well okay, maybe they didn\u2019t show up because I showed up to the three hardest shows spread out throughout the entire year, was told you shouldn\u2019t do it, you can\u2019t do it, whatever. I went out there, and I competed, and if you showed up, you showed up, and if you didn\u2019t show up, automatic forfeit, I guess.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

After defeating top names like Nick Walker<\/a>, Samson Dauda<\/a>, and Andrew Jacked<\/a> multiple times, Lunsford believes he\u2019s proven he\u2019s the best in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI beat these guys three times last year, and to say that\u2019s not a dominant champion? I mean, what am I supposed to do? How many more times do I gotta show up and show that I\u2019m the best in the world?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The reigning champ doubled down on his open gym invitation and maintained that his rivals aren\u2019t ready to go to a dark place like he is:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf they come train with me, yeah [they could go to a dark place], but that\u2019s about it. They need to come train with me. I\u2019m dead serious. You need to come train with me,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cI want to bring the best out of them, and I want the best out of me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it. That\u2019s the only way, to be honest with you. The thing is, we all have it inside of us, we just got to bring it out. I\u2019m going to tell you. I don\u2019t see any of those guys being able to really go to that place that I\u2019m talking about. They think they will. They will think to themselves, oh, I\u2019m doing it, I\u2019m going there; I\u2019m training harder, and I want it more. No, you don\u2019t. Don\u2019t fool yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lunsford has dealt with fan hate throughout the season, prompting judge Terrick El Guindy to come to his defense. El Guindy said Lunsford had one of the best backs in the world and argued that no Mr. Olympia champion is without flaws<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunsford isn\u2019t afraid to speak his mind before stepping onstage. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0Dennis James Says Derek Lunsford Is the Most Hated Bodybuilder Since Phil Heath: \u201cEveryone Wants to See the Champ Lose\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Straight Outta the Lair YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n