{"id":26469,"date":"2026-08-10T15:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T15:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=26469"},"modified":"2026-08-10T15:11:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T15:11:00","slug":"derek-lunsford-nears-250-lbs-ahead-of-2026-mr-olympia-reacts-to-nick-walkers-tampa-win-i-just-got-to-remind-him-who-the-champ-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=26469","title":{"rendered":"Derek Lunsford Nears 250 Lbs Ahead of 2026 Mr. Olympia, Reacts to Nick Walker\u2019s Tampa Win: \u2018I Just Got to Remind Him Who the Champ Is\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Less than seven weeks stand between competitors and the 2026 Mr. Olympia. In an August 9 YouTube video, Derek Lunsford<\/a> broke down his new diet approach and recapped Nick Walker\u2019s impressive victory at the Tampa Pro.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lunsford sits atop the Men\u2019s Open division thanks to a dominant 2025 bodybuilding season. He won the Arnold Classic<\/a>, Pittsburgh Pro<\/a>, and Mr. Olympia<\/a> consecutively. His triumph in Vegas marked him as one of only two bodybuilders to recapture the Sandow trophy, alongside Jay Cutler.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lunsford faces one of the most stacked lineups in Mr. Olympia history. Former titleholders Hadi Choopan and Samson Dauda aim to regain their championship status. Meanwhile, Andrew Jacked<\/a> (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) is surging in the class after winning the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio<\/a> and UK<\/a> contests.<\/p>\n

Nick Walker<\/a> was the latest to join the party. He qualified for the Mr. Olympia after earning gold at the Tampa Pro<\/a>. Despite a handful of contenders waiting in the wings, Lunsford believes he\u2019s got the winning strategy heading into Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Derek Lunsford\u2019s Weight \u2018Close\u2019 to 250 With New Diet, Talks Nick Walker\u2019s Tampa Pro Win\u00a0<\/h2>\n

During the Rx Muscle \u2013 Truth in Bodybuilding<\/em> interview, Lunsford explained that unlike previous seasons, he\u2019s frontloaded most of his carbohydrates in the morning, and consumes more protein toward the end of the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is a little different this year. We have been frontloading the carbohydrates and backloading the protein. So, in the morning, the first two meals, protein might be a little bit lower, but the carbs are a lot higher. Post-workout, this [banana] is the only carbs I get post-workout. Everything else is like protein is really, really high.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With eight weeks until showtime, Lunsford revealed that his food is high at this point in prep. He mentioned that his weight is close to 250 pounds but wouldn\u2019t mind dropping a couple more pounds before stepping onstage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cFood is really high right now, to be honest, but the cardio is also really high because we are eight weeks out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did I weigh this morning? Close to 250,\u201d shared<\/a> Lunsford. \u201c242 [at Olympia last year]. I think this year, even if I came down a couple more pounds, I think that will be a nice balance between the Olympia and the Arnold look, so that\u2019s what we\u2019re going for.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As for Walker\u2019s momentum swing in Tampa, Lunsford was at the event and said he reminded \u201cThe Mutant\u201d who the Mr. Olympia champ is.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI thought he looked great,\u201d Lunsford said. \u201cI just got to remind him who the champ is. I let him know now. I let everybody know that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lunsford hasn\u2019t held back in the lead-up to his Mr. Olympia title defense. During an Olympia Battle workout with Andrew Jacked, Lunsford told the Men\u2019s Open star he\u2019d never be champion<\/a> as long as he\u2019s around. The two exchanged in a heated back-and-forth and share the same coach.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With a revamped nutrition plan, Lunsford is checking every box possible before stepping onstage. The 2026 Mr. Olympia will take place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0King Kamali Predicts Nick Walker Will Be a \u2018Big Problem\u2019 for Derek Lunsford at 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle \u2013 Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n