Tensions Erupt at the 2025 Mr. Olympia Press Conference

Olympia fever keeps cresting as we enter the weekend. Fitness Volt will be covering the event live, so stay tuned!

October 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

At the official pre‑show press conference, defending champ Samson Dauda turned to Derek Lunsford and calmly declared there was nothing he could do to stop Dauda from winning. Lunsford fired back that he plans to “shock the world” at prejudging, while Nick Walker promised to beat everyone in sight, and Andrew Jacked quipped that he’s ready for a “man vs. man” showdown. Even Hadi Choopan, the 2022 champ, predicted he’ll be “the last man standing,” keeping the smack‑talk swirling. Beyond the barbs, this press conference framed the year’s narrative: Dauda wants to defend, Lunsford chases a historic comeback, Walker seeks redemption, and Choopan hopes to reclaim his crown. Expect sparks to fly when these personalities finally meet under the lights. [Watch the Face‑Off]

If you can’t make it to Sin City, the Olympia production team has you covered. The official pay‑per‑view costs $74.99 and streams every prejudging and final across all 11 IFBB Pro League divisions, plus extras like athlete check‑ins and the Champions Seminar. Pre‑show buzz includes Dauda’s title defense, a new Classic Physique king in the wake of Chris Bumstead’s retirement, and Andrea Shaw’s pursuit of a sixth Ms. Olympia. The app lists a detailed schedule with times for each division so you don’t miss your favorites. Grab your snacks, clear your calendar, and tap into the show from wherever you are—Vegas drama travels well in HD. If you can’t catch the action live, tune into Fitness Volt for the latest updates throughout the weekend. [Secure Your Stream]

Iranian standout Behrouz Tabani finally secured his U.S. visa just one week before the Olympia after years of paperwork purgatory. He punched his ticket by winning the 2025 Dubai Pro and pocketing $100k, blending crisp conditioning with aesthetic lines that could make him this year’s dark horse. Tabani missed past Olympias due to visa issues, so this debut carries emotional weight and a sense of unfinished business. He’ll square off against giants like Lunsford, Choopan, Walker, and defending champ Dauda, but coach Milos Sarcev believes his balanced package could surprise. Visa hurdles behind him, Tabani finally gets to chase the sport’s biggest stage. [Follow His Road to Vegas]

Derek Lunsford’s bid for a “Triple Crown” — Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Olympia titles in one season — hinges on his ability to bring the same full yet peeled look that beat Dauda and Walker earlier this year. Behrouz Tabani, under Milos Sarcev’s guidance, posted sharp updates as he prepares for his long‑awaited debut. Meanwhile, Rubiel “Neckzilla” Mosquera flashed insane thickness but still needs to tighten his conditioning to threaten the top six. With 11 divisions gracing the Olympia stage, every camp is making last‑minute tweaks to stand out. The lesson: photos and weight updates stir hype, but execution under the lights will tell the real story. [See the Final Check‑Ins]

Mike Sommerfeld Survives a Two‑Day Cut and Height Controversy

Classic Physique contender Mike Sommerfeld endured an insane 14‑pound cut in two days after last‑minute height measurements forced him down to 204 pounds. IFBB rules require athletes under 5 ft 9 ½ inches to weigh 212 pounds, so he scrambled to meet the stricter cap and just made it. Coach Neil Hill slammed the late rule change as unfair, but the ordeal ended with Sommerfeld cleared to compete. With Chris Bumstead retired, Classic Physique will crown a new king, and Sommerfeld’s symmetrical lines and disciplined prep make him a favorite. His ordeal underscores how razor‑thin margins define success at the top. [See How He Made Weight]

Retired pro Seth Feroce offered his blunt top‑10 predictions for the Men’s Open: he has Samson Dauda winning, Nick Walker in second, Derek Lunsford third, and Hadi Choopan fourth. He places Martin Fitzwater fifth and Andrew Jacked sixth, followed by Behrouz Tabani, Tonio Burton, Brandon Curry, and William Bonac. Feroce’s reasoning? Dauda’s blend of mass and structure dethroned Choopan in 2024, but Lunsford’s Arnold Classic win shows he’s closing the gap. Walker returns after an injury‑marred season, and Feroce thinks his freak factor keeps him in the mix. Love or hate the list, it fuels debate as fans plot their own scorecards. [See His Full Top 10]

Newly retired Classic Physique legend Chris Bumstead weighed in on who might take his vacant crown. He backs Mike Sommerfeld as the new Classic Physique champ, followed by Ramon Queiroz, Terrence Ruffin, Matt Greggo, and Jose Manuel Munoz. For the Men’s Open, Bumstead mirrors Feroce on top but shuffles the order: he likes Samson Dauda to repeat, Hadi Choopan second, Nick Walker third, Derek Lunsford fourth, and Andrew Jacked fifth. Bumstead also acknowledges predictions from legends Ronnie Coleman (Choopan) and Lee Haney (Dauda), highlighting that even icons can’t agree. His picks carry weight after six straight Classic titles, and fans will dissect whether he’s passing the torch wisely. [View the Champ’s Picks]

Two‑time 212 Olympia champ Keone Pearson dropped a comprehensive physique update four days before stepping on stage. After transitioning from Classic Physique, Pearson’s balanced arms, midsection, and wheels suggest he’s ready to defend. He’s flirted with moving to the Men’s Open but told fans he still has unfinished business in 212. Since turning pro in 2016, the Texan has scaled from 180 pounds to a shredded 212, proving his adaptability and work ethic. Catch his final look before the stage lights blur the lines. [Peek at His 212 Physique]

The bodybuilding world mourns the sudden passing of Varinder Singh Ghuman, who died at 47 from a cardiac arrest. A pioneer for Indian athletes, Ghuman won Mr. India in 2009, placed runner‑up at Mr. Asia, and was the first Indian to earn an IFBB Pro card. He championed vegetarian bodybuilding and was known for his roles in films like Tiger 3, bringing muscular charisma to Bollywood. Fellow bodybuilders praised his kindness and discipline, and his death underscores ongoing conversations about heart health in the sport. Celebrate his legacy and revisit his best moments. [Learn About His Impact]

Four‑time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler took rising Open contender Urs Kalecinski through a peak‑week leg session that proves old‑school wisdom still wins. The pair warmed up and finished with leg extensions to protect the knees, then pounded through heavy leg presses, pendulum squats, seated leg curls, and adductor work. Cutler likes the pendulum squat because it’s joint‑friendly and hits the quads hard. After wins at ProMuscle Italy and Europa Pro, Kalecinski aims for a top‑10 Open finish and believes he can eventually win the division; Cutler agrees. Watch the session for cues on foot placement, tempo, and the mindset of two champions. [Train Legs With Jay & Urs]

Tap Into the Body Fat Calculator

If you’re guessing your body fat, it’s time to go science‑based. Fitness Volt’s Body Fat Calculator lets you plug in age, gender, height, and weight and choose among seven measurement methods, from the U.S. Navy and YMCA formulas to Jackson/Pollock caliper sites. You can toggle between imperial and metric units and even download a PDF report for reference. The site explains how to measure each site—whether you’re pinching skinfolds with calipers or using a tape—so you get consistent results. Accurate body‑fat tracking helps calibrate macro ratios and monitor progress without obsessing over scale weight. [Calculate Your Body Fat Now]

One day before the big show, Urs Kalecinski and 212 dynamo Keone Pearson struck a pose that could stop traffic📹💪

Lunch Recipe of the Day: Green Veggie Bowl With Chicken & Lemon‑Tahini Dressing

For a nutrient‑packed lunch, whisk tahini, water, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, and a pinch of salt until creamy, then set aside. Trim green beans, break broccoli into florets, and season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken in olive oil over medium heat until an instant‑read thermometer hits 160°F, then tent it to keep warm. In the same pan, sauté onion and sliced garlic, add broccoli and green beans, then stir in kale with a splash of water and steam until tender. Slice the chicken, serve it over brown rice with the vegetables, drizzle the lemon‑tahini dressing, and finish with chopped cilantro.

The Strength Bulletin

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