"Screw the limits," says Dauda, aiming for a whopping 160 kilograms.

Samson Dauda, one of the most prominent faces of contemporary bodybuilding and a former Mr. Olympia champion, has decided to take a radical step. After placing 4th at this year's Mr. Olympia, he announced that his goal for the upcoming bulking phase is to reach a weight of 350 pounds (approximately 158-160 kg).

In recent years, Dauda has focused primarily on aesthetics and details, which earned him a title at the 2023 Arnold Classic and great placements at Olympia. However, after dropping to fourth this year - where judges and fans alike said he lacked the necessary bulk in his back and legs - the "Nigerian Lion" decided to return to brutal weight.

"Screw it, we're going all out"

In a recent interview, Dauda admitted that in previous seasons he always tried to keep his weight under control in the off-season so as not to lose too much fitness. This time, however, the approach is different.

"In every past off-season, I had a set ceiling on how high my weight could go. This is the first time I'm like, 'Screw it, let's go all out.' I want to see what happens if I don't have any limits,"Daudasaid.

Samson is currently hovering around the 152 kg (335 lbs) mark and feels great, according to him. This gives him the confidence to push the limit even further.

Priority is health and comfort

Although extreme weight is the goal, Dauda stresses that everything must be gradual. He doesn't just want to "get fat", but to adapt his body to a new level of muscle mass so that the weight doesn't restrict him in everyday life or in training.

• Gradual adaptation.
• Quality of life: "You want to be able to have a conversation without getting out of breath. You want to sleep well and move normally. I'm trying to find a balance so that the weight doesn't hold me back from training," he explains.

The road back to the top

The plan is clear: dedicate December to rest and from January (right after Christmas) launch a hard attack on the set goal. Weighing in at around 160kg in volume, Samson believes he will be able to bring a level of muscle density and brutal volume to the podium in 2026 that none of his rivals - including Hadi Choopan or Derek Lunsford - will be able to match.

So bodybuilding fans have a lot to look forward to. If Dauda can maintain his legendary lines and symmetry even at this extreme weight, we could be looking at one of the most imposing figures in Men's Open history.