What does Andrew Jacked need to win the 2026 Mr. Olympia title? Jose Raymond has a clear answer!

Less than three weeks remain until the bodybuilding world turns its attention to Las Vegas. The prestigious Mr. Olympia 2026 competition is fast approaching (September 24–27), and fans are asking just one question: Who will win the legendary Sandow statue this year? One of the biggest favorites is undoubtedly the star Andrew Jacked. Bodybuilding veteran Jose Raymond recently opened up about exactly what Andrew needs to do to reach the very top this year.

Phenomenal Success and Fierce Rivalry

In 2025, Andrew Jacked (whose real name is Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) fought his way to an outstanding third-place finish in the Open division—his best result at the Olympia to date. This finish gave him a huge boost of confidence, which he put to full use in the months that followed. He triumphed at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro and subsequently dominated the Arnold Classic in Ohio and the UK. As a result, he became the first bodybuilder in history to earn $1 million in prize money in a single month.

But if he wants to claim the throne in Las Vegas, his biggest obstacle lies ahead: reigning two-time champion Derek Lunsford. Moreover, tensions between these two competitors have escalated after Lunsford declared that Jacked would never win the Olympia.

Where does Andrew need to step up?

Former 212-pound division star Jose Raymond explained in a recent episode of The Menace Podcast that although Jacked has enormous potential, he’s still a step away from the title of the world’s best bodybuilder.

“He needs to come in a little sharper and overall more massive than he was in his best shape so far. He still has room to improve,” Raymond said .

Another legend, Dennis James, agrees, adding: “He needs to be better. If he shows up in the same shape as he did at the Arnold Classic, he’ll finish third.”

Raymond was more specific in his analysis and pointed out the areas Jacked needs to work on: “He needs to gain more muscle mass in his hamstrings (the back of his thighs). He also absolutely must improve his side poses. If he can do that, he’ll definitely be a more dangerous contender.”

The Samson Dauda Factor and the Overall Prediction

Raymond also touched on another big name in the podcast—Samson Dauda. He sees two possible scenarios for him:

“Either he’ll perform just like he did last year, or he’ll have his own ‘Ronnie Coleman moment’ and completely blow everyone away on stage.”

Despite acknowledging the qualities of both challengers, however, Jose Raymond favors the reigning champion. He recently predicted that Derek Lunsford will claim his third title. The reason? According to Raymond, Lunsford can clearly defeat both Jacked and Dauda when it comes to back poses, in which he currently has no competition.

This year’s “Super Bowl of Bodybuilding” promises to be one of the most evenly matched and thrilling contests in recent years. Will Andrew Jacked improve upon his weaknesses and shock the world, will Samson Dauda be in the best shape of his life, or will Derek Lunsford once again defend his throne?

Champions aren’t just made in the gym—they’re also made during recovery

Competing against the absolute elite—such as Derek Lunsford or Andrew Jacked—requires not only relentless hard work with weights but also an absolutely precise approach to nutrition. If you, too, want to build massive muscle mass while maintaining a sharp, commanding physique, you must provide your body with the right building blocks. The absolute foundation for building lean muscle mass without unnecessary body fat is high-quality whey isolate. These rapidly absorbed proteins ensure immediate repair of torn muscle fibers right after a hard workout, which is absolutely crucial for triggering maximum growth.

It’s also worth adding creatine monohydrate to your fast-acting protein intake, as it represents the gold standard in the world of supplements for increasing raw strength and muscle fullness. Creatine helps fuel muscle cells with the energy needed for the most demanding sets and supports overall mass, which plays a decisive role both on stage and in the mirror.

However, you mustn’t forget that building extreme mass—whether it’s lagging hamstrings, which Jacked has to address, or a massive back—means lifting brutal weights. These put an enormous strain on the musculoskeletal system. That’s why comprehensive joint nutrition should be a staple in your arsenal. It will protect your cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, speed up their recovery, and allow you to train hard without unnecessary injuries or setbacks. Equip yourself wisely, don’t underestimate recovery, and push your limits to the max!