Flex Wheeler Picks Samson Dauda To Win 2026 Mr. Olympia
Bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler has made his pick for the 2026 Mr. Olympia, and he believes former champion Samson Dauda is the man to beat.
With the Men’s Open competition approaching in Las Vegas, Wheeler was asked by Beyond The Stage TV which competitor he would put his money on to capture the Sandow Trophy. Wheeler ultimately landed on Dauda, pointing to his combination of overwhelming size and improved conditioning.
“If I was a betting guy right now, I would probably have to put my money on Samson.”
The pick adds another major bodybuilding name to the growing debate surrounding what could be a wide-open battle between Dauda, defending champion Derek Lunsford, Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker, and the rest of the Men’s Open field.
Flex Wheeler Picks Samson Dauda To Win 2026 Olympia
Wheeler’s reasoning begins with the sheer amount of muscle Dauda carries across his frame.
“He absolutely has all the size everywhere from top to bottom,” Wheeler said. “He’s added more muscle.”
Dauda already owns one Sandow Trophy after winning the 2024 Mr. Olympia. However, his title defense did not go as planned in 2025. Dauda finished fourth as Derek Lunsford reclaimed the championship. Dauda has since worked his way back toward another Olympia run and recently returned to competition at the 2026 Europa Pro.
For Wheeler, the biggest difference may be Dauda’s ability to combine his trademark size with the conditioning necessary to stand against the best bodybuilders in the world.
“He’s came in in condition, you know, that’s comparable to what he did a couple of years ago,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler believes that version of Dauda puts the former champion in control of his own destiny.
“For me, it’s [Samson’s] show to win.”
Flex Wheeler Says The Door Is Open If Dauda Misses
Wheeler did not suggest that a Dauda victory is guaranteed. Instead, he made it clear that the margin for error will be small with several elite challengers waiting for an opportunity.
“If he doesn’t do his job, then any one of those other two guys can easily walk through that door,” Wheeler said.
The comments come as bodybuilding legends continue to split on who will leave Las Vegas with the Sandow. In a case of diverging Flexes, Seven-time 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis recently made his own predictions and selected Lunsford to successfully defend his championship, with Dauda finishing second. Lewis similarly acknowledged that Dauda has the tools to win if he nails his package.
That makes for an interesting divide between two of bodybuilding’s most recognizable Flexes: Lewis is siding with Lunsford, while Wheeler is putting his hypothetical money on Dauda.
For Samson Dauda, the equation laid out by Wheeler is relatively straightforward. The size is already there. If the former Mr. Olympia can bring the conditioning to match it, Wheeler believes the Sandow could be his once again.
Image embed via Instagram @samson__dauda
