Jay Cutler looked at recent pictures of Samson Dauda and likes where he is in prep.
Men’s Open bodybuilder Samson Dauda is full go for the 2025 Olympia as he looks to successfully defend his title. How can this happen? Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler believes Dauda needs to stay on track and if he enters at full strength, he will be difficult to beat.
[RELATED: Samson Dauda’s Insane 330-Pound Physique Update]
Dauda won his first Olympia title in 2024, defeating the likes of Derek Lunsfordand Hadi Choopan. He quickly returned to competition in the 2025 Arnold Classic, where he finished as the runner-up to Lunsford. This sets up an intense battle at the end of the year during the Olympia.
“I think this guy is going to win. I feel like walking into the Olympia, no one has a shot right now. Samson shows up, like Samson can, with this — sorry guys, no one is beating him. He’s the most complete and aesthetic.”
Dauda has proven that he is a true force in Men’s Open and this has been the case since his debut. In 2022, he finished in the Top 10 at his first Olympia competition and shot up the scorecard in 2023 — when he was top three. Dauda is now preparing to make it two victories in a row.
Jay Cutler Talks Samson Dauda vs. Derek Lunsford
Dauda and Lunsford will battle it out on the Olympia stage once again after an impressive showing in Columbus. Cutler believes that Lunsford’s peak in March could impact his performance at the Olympia.
“Samson stopped after the Arnold where Derek had to peak again for Pittsburgh. It’s going to hinder him come the ball. I don’t care, it’s going to be hard for him to peak again because he peaked, we saw him really hard once at the Arnold.”
Cutler continued to discuss Dauda’s standing relaxed pose, which has received plenty of criticism.
“He’s standing that way but they don’t correct it. He can stand whatever way he wants. He can stand with his hands over his head if that’s the way he wants to present it…He’s in the driver’s seat. The guy is Mr. Olympia. He can do whatever he wants.”
Samson Dauda did not peak at the Arnold, which makes Cutler believe he can reach this level come the fall show. He compared his muscle-density to the great Ronnie Coleman and believes he has plenty of size at this point.
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