Sergio Oliva Jr. is certain: Samson Dauda is this year’s Mr. Olympia 2026!

The bodybuilding world is holding its breath. There are only a few weeks left until the start of Mr. Olympia 2026, and expert predictions are pouring in from all sides. While many favor defending champion Derek Lunsford or last year’s runner-up Hadi Choopan, Sergio Oliva Jr. is proposing a different scenario. According to him, the title will undoubtedly go to the “Nigerian Lion,” Samson Dauda, this year.

Sergio Oliva Jr., son of the legendary three-time Mr. Olympia champion, has an extremely keen eye for detail, genetics, and proportions. He knows very well what it takes for a competitor to look unbeatable on stage. And according to him, Dauda has the very best cards up his sleeve this year.

Mass that will outshine absolutely everyone

In a recent interview, Oliva Jr. explained why he sees Dauda at the very top. The main reason is his unrivaled body structure, massive X-shape, and incredible overall size.

“When Samson steps onto the stage and is in top form, he’s simply too big and too broad for anyone to beat him,” Sergio noted. “Derek Lunsford may have an incredible back, but Samson’s overall proportions and aesthetics, combined with such massive bulk, are out of this world.”

Dauda worked tirelessly on his weaknesses last season, particularly the depth and hardness of his back muscles, which had previously been his downfall in battles against Lunsford and Choopan. If he manages to fine-tune these details this year, Oliva Jr. has no doubt that the Sandow Trophy will change hands.

Will the change in strategy pay off?

In addition to his size, Dauda’s new competition strategy is also working in his favor. His recent decision to test his final preparations at the Europa Pro—just 11 days before the Olympia—shows that Samson is leaving absolutely nothing to chance this year. He wants to be 100 percent sure that his skin will be paper-thin in Las Vegas and his muscles will be as full as possible.

Step into the gym with the mindset of Mr. Olympia champions

Samson Dauda and other stars leave nothing to chance in the weeks leading up to the Mr. Olympia competition. Building massive muscle mass and fine-tuning the details—such as the depth of your back muscles—requires not only tremendous physical effort but also an uncompromising mindset. Your mind must be set on victory the moment you open your locker in the locker room. What you train in actually affects your performance more than you might realize. If you want to train with the determination of future Mr. Olympia champions, you need gear that can handle the same workload as you and give you the right drive.

Take your next workout to a whole new level and slip on the old-school NEBBIA Olympia Muscle Cover tank top. Its oversized cut, made from sturdy, heavyweight cotton, gives you absolute freedom of movement with every rep and cleverly hides your pump until it’s time to show off your full physique—just like the heavyweight pros. Complete your perfect gym outfit with the NEBBIA Olympia loose-fit sweatpants. Forget about restrictive fabrics—these sweatpants are designed to handle even the deepest squats and heaviest deadlifts with ease. They offer pure comfort for building massive legs. This exclusive collection also caters to hard-training women who give it their all. The new NEBBIA Olympia Open Back sports bra delivers uncompromising support, confidence in every movement, and a premium open-back design that perfectly showcases the results of your hard work.

Don’t wait until you see these unique pieces on everyone else. This is a strictly limited edition—once it’s sold out, it’s gone for good. Put on your official Mr. Olympia gear, switch to champion mode, and show the iron who’s boss before this exclusive drop slips away for good!