Seven-Time 212 Champ Flex Lewis Gives His Mr. Olympia Picks<\/strong><\/h2>\nSeven-time 212 Olympia champion<\/strong> Flex Lewis<\/strong><\/a> has made his picks for the 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/strong>, and he believes Derek Lunsford will successfully defend his title.<\/p>\nWith the 2026 Olympia<\/a> approaching, Lewis joined Antoine Vaillant and a panel of bodybuilding personalities to break down a loaded Men\u2019s Open lineup. After weighing the cases for Derek Lunsford<\/a>, Samson Dauda<\/a>, Andrew Jacked<\/a>, Nick Walker<\/a>, and Martin Fitzwater<\/a>, Lewis ultimately settled on Lunsford as his pick to stand atop the podium.<\/p>\nFlex Lewis Picks Derek Lunsford To Win 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis admitted that separating Lunsford and Dauda was difficult. However, one thing that stood out to him was the confidence Lunsford has displayed throughout his Olympia preparation<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Preferred](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/themes\/generation-iron\/images\/preferred-source.webp\"\/)
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<\/a><\/div>\nLewis said he noticed that confidence firsthand when Lunsford appeared on his podcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen Derek this confident talking going into the show,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cWhen I spoke to him on my podcast, it was like, \u2018I\u2019ve won this already,\u2019 and I\u2019ve never heard him talk like that before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lewis compared it to his own mentality during his championship run. While he was not typically an outspoken competitor, there were certain years when he knew his physique was ready to deliver.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew when I was on,\u201d Lewis explained. \u201cI knew, like, on certain years I had a look that I couldn\u2019t wait to stand on stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
After considering the matchup, Lewis officially placed Lunsford ahead of Dauda.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to keep my verdict as Derek first, second Samson,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n
Flex Lewis\u2019 Top Five Olympia Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis eventually settled on the following top five:<\/p>\n
\n- Derek Lunsford<\/li>\n
- Samson Dauda<\/li>\n
- Andrew Jacked<\/li>\n
- Nick Walker<\/li>\n
- Martin Fitzwater<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Dauda presented Lewis with the biggest dilemma. Lewis believes the former Olympia champion possesses the tools to win if everything comes together on stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Samson nailed it, he is the guy that should win it on paper.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, conditioning remains the major question after Dauda\u2019s recent appearance in Europe. Lewis noted that Dauda was not necessarily attempting to reach his absolute peak<\/a> for that contest, but he also pushed back against the idea of treating professional bodybuilding competitions as \u201cwarm-up shows.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYou either compete to win or you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Lewis, Lunsford\u2019s recent glimpses of conditioning combined with his confidence ultimately gave him the edge.<\/p>\n
Andrew Jacked Moves Ahead Of Nick Walker<\/strong><\/h2>\nOne of the more interesting parts of Lewis\u2019 prediction was placing Andrew Jacked third and Nick Walker fourth.<\/p>\n
Lewis acknowledged that he had seen very little from Jacked during the final stages of prep, making him one of the biggest mysteries entering the Olympia. Still, Jacked\u2019s trajectory over the last several seasons was enough for Lewis to envision him finishing inside the top three.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know what Andrew could look like potentially,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n
Walker, meanwhile, has repeatedly demonstrated the type of conditioning and muscularity required to contend with the best bodybuilders in the world. Lewis said the matchup ultimately comes down to imagining the best possible versions of each competitor.<\/p>\n
Martin Fitzwater Is Lewis\u2019 Olympia Dark Horse<\/strong><\/h2>\nLewis rounded out his top five with Fitzwater, who he believes could become particularly dangerous if he brings everything together.<\/p>\n
The former 212 Olympia<\/a> king pointed to Fitzwater\u2019s recent adversity and the environment around his preparation as potential sources of motivation.<\/p>\n\u201cHe\u2019s a dangerous competitor,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cHe\u2019s got a lot of fire in his belly.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Hadi Choopan<\/a> out of the 2026 Olympia lineup, another spot near the top of the standings is available, adding even more uncertainty to an already competitive field.<\/p>\nFor Lewis, however, the final prediction begins with Lunsford. If the reigning champion delivers the physique Lewis expects, the seven-time 212 Olympia champion believes Lunsford will leave the 2026 Olympia with another Sandow trophy.<\/p>\n
Be sure to check out Generation Iron\u2019s preview and expert picks for Mr. Olympia here<\/a>. Along with a complete guide on how to watch bodybuilding\u2019s biggest weekend for<\/strong>\u00a0FREE here<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\nImage embed via Instagram<\/em> @flex_lewis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
With the 2026 Olympia<\/a> approaching, Lewis joined Antoine Vaillant and a panel of bodybuilding personalities to break down a loaded Men\u2019s Open lineup. After weighing the cases for Derek Lunsford<\/a>, Samson Dauda<\/a>, Andrew Jacked<\/a>, Nick Walker<\/a>, and Martin Fitzwater<\/a>, Lewis ultimately settled on Lunsford as his pick to stand atop the podium.<\/p>\n Lewis admitted that separating Lunsford and Dauda was difficult. However, one thing that stood out to him was the confidence Lunsford has displayed throughout his Olympia preparation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lewis said he noticed that confidence firsthand when Lunsford appeared on his podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen Derek this confident talking going into the show,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cWhen I spoke to him on my podcast, it was like, \u2018I\u2019ve won this already,\u2019 and I\u2019ve never heard him talk like that before.\u201d<\/p>\n Lewis compared it to his own mentality during his championship run. While he was not typically an outspoken competitor, there were certain years when he knew his physique was ready to deliver.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew when I was on,\u201d Lewis explained. \u201cI knew, like, on certain years I had a look that I couldn\u2019t wait to stand on stage.\u201d<\/p>\n After considering the matchup, Lewis officially placed Lunsford ahead of Dauda.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to keep my verdict as Derek first, second Samson,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n Lewis eventually settled on the following top five:<\/p>\n Dauda presented Lewis with the biggest dilemma. Lewis believes the former Olympia champion possesses the tools to win if everything comes together on stage.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Samson nailed it, he is the guy that should win it on paper.\u201d<\/p>\n However, conditioning remains the major question after Dauda\u2019s recent appearance in Europe. Lewis noted that Dauda was not necessarily attempting to reach his absolute peak<\/a> for that contest, but he also pushed back against the idea of treating professional bodybuilding competitions as \u201cwarm-up shows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou either compete to win or you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n For Lewis, Lunsford\u2019s recent glimpses of conditioning combined with his confidence ultimately gave him the edge.<\/p>\n One of the more interesting parts of Lewis\u2019 prediction was placing Andrew Jacked third and Nick Walker fourth.<\/p>\n Lewis acknowledged that he had seen very little from Jacked during the final stages of prep, making him one of the biggest mysteries entering the Olympia. Still, Jacked\u2019s trajectory over the last several seasons was enough for Lewis to envision him finishing inside the top three.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all know what Andrew could look like potentially,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n Walker, meanwhile, has repeatedly demonstrated the type of conditioning and muscularity required to contend with the best bodybuilders in the world. Lewis said the matchup ultimately comes down to imagining the best possible versions of each competitor.<\/p>\n Lewis rounded out his top five with Fitzwater, who he believes could become particularly dangerous if he brings everything together.<\/p>\n The former 212 Olympia<\/a> king pointed to Fitzwater\u2019s recent adversity and the environment around his preparation as potential sources of motivation.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a dangerous competitor,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cHe\u2019s got a lot of fire in his belly.\u201d<\/p>\n With Hadi Choopan<\/a> out of the 2026 Olympia lineup, another spot near the top of the standings is available, adding even more uncertainty to an already competitive field.<\/p>\n For Lewis, however, the final prediction begins with Lunsford. If the reigning champion delivers the physique Lewis expects, the seven-time 212 Olympia champion believes Lunsford will leave the 2026 Olympia with another Sandow trophy.<\/p>\n Be sure to check out Generation Iron\u2019s preview and expert picks for Mr. Olympia here<\/a>. Along with a complete guide on how to watch bodybuilding\u2019s biggest weekend for<\/strong>\u00a0FREE here<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n Image embed via Instagram<\/em> @flex_lewis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nFlex Lewis Picks Derek Lunsford To Win 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nFlex Lewis\u2019 Top Five Olympia Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Andrew Jacked Moves Ahead Of Nick Walker<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Martin Fitzwater Is Lewis\u2019 Olympia Dark Horse<\/strong><\/h2>\n