Mr. Olympia 2025 press conference: the tension could be cut!

Las Vegas is not just a gambling town, but now the epicenter of the bodybuilding world. At the press conference for Mr. Olympia 2025, you could feel the tension in the air even if you weren't in the room. The world's bodybuilding elite have gathered to send clear messages. Who are the most confident of the rivals? And who's rubbing salt in the wounds of their rivals?

Clash of the Giants: Samson Dauda and his wall of confidence

You know Samson Dauda is no braggart. The defending champion speaks mostly with his muscles, but this time he didn't forgive himself for a few words that made even the biggest skeptics raise their eyebrows. His punch was aimed right at Derek Lunsford. "It's done," Samson uttered with cool calm. That's a strong sentence, especially knowing that Lunsford beat him at the Arnold Classic this year. Samson clearly implied that Derek may have taken his title, but not his crown.

Of course, Derek didn't take any chances. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes sparkled with determination. Lunsford is aiming for the so-called "Triple Crown", a historic milestone, and he was not shy about declaring:

"I'm here to shock the world."

It will be a battle of two kings, with one wanting to confirm that he is still on the throne and the other wanting to take it away. And such battles are not forgotten.

Big comeback: Nick Walker on the prowl again after a two-year hiatus

What about Nick Walker? His absence from Mr. Olympia was two years in a row, but for him, he says it was just a break before the big hunt. This "mass monster" is known for his huge muscle mass and even bigger confidence. Nick made no bones about saying he was going for the win, no matter who was standing next to him.

"My opponents are just foreplay," he said, literally, "I'm the star of the night."

That, of course, didn't sit well with his competitor, Andrew Jacked. He immediately countered that he had what it took to beat Walker. Their verbal shootout showed that the rivalry between them is very personal. Will it be as intense on stage as it is on the microphone?

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What's next for Classic Physique?

Not everything was about the men in the Open category. A big question mark is hovering over the Classic Physique division. The icon and king of this category, Chris Bumstead, took a well-deserved retirement after last year's event. And so the crown is vacant. Who will rise to the occasion?