{"id":26288,"date":"2026-08-06T15:16:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=26288"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:16:00","slug":"king-kamali-predicts-nick-walker-will-be-a-big-problem-for-derek-lunsford-at-2026-mr-olympia-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=26288","title":{"rendered":"King Kamali Predicts Nick Walker Will Be a ‘Big Problem’ for Derek Lunsford at 2026 Mr. Olympia \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The countdown to the 2026 Mr. Olympia is officially underway. In an August 4 YouTube video, Shahriar Kamali (King Kamali) predicted Nick Walker could upset Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan when they meet again in Las Vegas.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

After falling to sixth place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, fans questioned Nick Walker<\/a>\u2018s future in the sport. However, \u201cThe Mutant\u201d put those concerns to rest at the 2026 Arnold Classic.<\/a> He didn\u2019t claim the $1 million winner\u2019s purse, but secured a close second place against Andrew Jacked<\/a> (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea).\u00a0<\/p>\n

To earn his ticket back to the Olympia, Walker dominated the 2026 Tampa Pro<\/a> with an all-time best look. His waist control improved, and bodybuilding veterans have taken notice of his better aesthetics<\/a>. Looking ahead, Kamali predicts Walker has the tools to take out reigning two-time Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

King Kamali Warns Derek Lunsford About Nick Walker Ahead of 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/h2>\n

In the video, Kamali revisited Walker\u2019s Tampa Pro victory and shared that his overwhelming muscularity and conditioning won him the show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen he walked out, it was obvious that he was on the money. Conditioning is there. Muscularity is there. He still has the stumpy legs, and his upper body is just as long as his lower body and looks weird, but he was so goddamn muscular.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He called Walker Lunsford\u2019s and Choopan\u2019s kryptonite:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m seeing Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan scared as shit right now. That\u2019s what I see, the short guys. Nick Walker is Hadi\u2019s and Derek\u2019s kryptonite because he\u2019s a short guy with more muscle and he beats them in a few poses. That is scary.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Though Lunsford\u2019s confidence is higher than ever, Kamali emphasized that Walker can beat him at the Olympia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf Derek is going to sit here saying what he\u2019s said over and over again\u2026 I\u2019m going to wipe everybody clean at the Olympia. You got to watch Derek; I\u2019m talking to you now, man.<\/p>\n

Nick can beat you. He will beat you in those back shots, your money shots. Nick can beat you. He has the hams. It\u2019s not just a glute competition as Milos likes to say. Nick Walker is a big problem for Derek and Hadi,\u201d said<\/a> King Kamali.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He favored Walker\u2019s chances against shorter competitors, but argued he\u2019d struggle with taller threats like Samson Dauda and Jacked.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou have a good shot at the Olympia to get in there. I think that it\u2019s going to be a hell of an Olympia. You\u2019re going to have a lot harder time with Samson and Andrew just because of the size issue, but you\u2019re going to really, really give some nightmares to Hadi and Derek.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Kamali isn\u2019t the only 1990s bodybuilding veteran favoring Walker\u2019s chances against Lunsford. Lee Priest recently assessed the matchup. He explained that if Walker comes into the Olympia \u2018one percent tighter,\u2019 he could easily push Lunsford<\/a> and other contenders aside.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Walker has undeniable momentum heading into his next contest. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fitness Volt<\/em> will have live coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Samson Dauda Calls Nick Walker a Top Threat for the 2026 Mr. Olympia: \u201cIt\u2019s Common Sense\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

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