Legend Lee Haney shocks: This is his preview for Mr. Olympia 2025!

The bodybuilding world is constantly speculating who will be the next ruler of the Open category. However, one of the most knowledgeable, eight-time Mr. Olympia winner Lee Haney, is clear on the matter. In his latest prediction for 2025, he predicts no surprises on the throne. He believes reigning champion Samson Dauda will retain the reigns.

Lee Haney, an icon of bodybuilding's golden era, is watching the current scene with great insight. His opinion carries a lot of weight in the community, which is why his rankings for the upcoming Olympia have garnered a lot of attention. Instead of tipping a new challenger, Haney is betting on a sure thing and confirming the dominance of the current king.

Haney's Top 6 for Mr. Olympia 2025:

The legend's prediction makes it clear that he believes in the continued dominance of "The Nigerian Lion". Putting the reigning champion in the top spot sends a strong message that Dauda's combination of muscle and aesthetics is still unbeatable, according to Haney.

1. Samson Dauda
2. Hadi Choopan / Behrooz Tabani
3. Hadi Choopan / Behrooz Tabani
4. Andrew Jacked / Martin Fitzwater
5. Andrew Jacked / Martin Fitzwater
6. Nick Walker

Confidence in the champion and the fight for the next rungs

Haney's pick of Samson Dauda as the winner confirms how highly he rates his 2024 triumph. He believes Dauda has found a winning formula and is ready to extend his dominance.

It also means that former champions like Hadi Choopan (the 2022 winner) and Derek Lunsford (the 2023 winner, who Haney doesn't mention in his Top 6) will have to fight hard for the throne again, and Haney doesn't think they'll be able to do it. The fight for second and third place is predicted to be very close, as it is Choopan and Behrooz Tabani who are supposed to share it.

Fourth and fifth are to be shared by giants Andrew Jacked and Martin Fitzwater, while the massive Nick "The Mutant" Walker rounds out the elite six.

The bet of such a respected personality to defend the title always adds a special edge to the competition. While others will be looking to unseat the reigning king, Samson Dauda will be under pressure to prove the words of a legend and defend Sandow's statuette. Mr. Olympia 2025 promises to be an epic battle.