Kai Greene weighs in on the Nick Walker hype train and how it came crashing down into a sixth place finish at Mr. Olympia
The 2025 Mr. Olympia proved to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable contests in bodybuilding history. In the latest episode of The Kai Greene Effect podcast, bodybuilding icon Kai Greene shared his in-depth thoughts on the outcome, the competition lineup, and what this year’s results reveal about the modern state of the sport.
Kai Greene touches base on Derek Lunsford‘s return to champion glory, Samson Dauda‘s fall to fourth place, and Nick Walker‘s unexpected sixth place finish – providing insight into why these events unfolded as they did.
Before diving deeper – here’s a refresher on the 2025 Mr. Olympia placings and prize money handouts.
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2025 Mr. Olympia Results and Prize Money
The official results for the 2025 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open division were:
- Derek Lunsford – $600,000
- Hadi Choopan – $200,000
- Andrew Jacked – $100,000
- Samson Dauda – $40,000
- Martin Fitzwater – $30,000
- Nick Walker
- Brandon Curry
- Tonio Burton
- William Bonac
- Vitalii Ugolnikov
Kai opened the episode by acknowledging how competitive the 2025 lineup was. “The 2025 Olympia had stellar talent in the lineup,” he said. “It was one of those shows where even after pre-judging, you couldn’t call it.”
He added, “I sat there like a lot of people in the audience—I did not have a clue who would win after the pre-judging.”
You can watch the full episode of the Kai Greene Effect above. Keep reading for a more in-depth breakdown of the discussion. Let’s dive in!
Derek Lunsford’s Victory and the Rise of Unpredictability
Derek Lunsford reclaimed bodybuilding’s biggest title, defeating Hadi Choopan and Andrew Jacked in one of the closest battles in recent Olympia history. Kai Greene found the outcome refreshing and symbolic of a new chapter for the sport.
“It’s amazing for the spectacle of bodybuilding that the reigning champion doesn’t just win again,” he said. “It shows that nothing is guaranteed, and that’s what makes the Olympia electric.”
Kai pointed out that in earlier decades, Olympia champions often dominated for years—like Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, and Phil Heath. Now, the trend has changed. “Thirty years ago, this didn’t happen,” Kai noted. “But today, a reigning Mr. Olympia dropping to fourth shows how open and competitive the field has become.”
He mentioned recent examples to illustrate the point: Big Ramy’s fall from first to fifth in 2022, Derek Lunsford’s third-place finish last year after winning, and now Samson Dauda’s drop to fourth. “That kind of turnover used to be unthinkable,” Kai said. “Now it’s part of what makes the sport exciting.”
Samson Dauda’s Fourth-Place Finish and Champion’s Pressure
Kai Greene dedicated a portion of the podcast to acknowledging Samson Dauda, who entered the contest as defending champion but finished fourth.
“Preparing for Olympia as the champion is completely different,” Kai explained. “Everyone’s targeting you. It’s not the same hunger as chasing your first win—it’s the pressure of maintaining it.”
He made it clear that Dauda’s performance deserves respect. He expressed that what Samson did, standing on that stage again under all that pressure, is something 99% of people can’t even imagine.
Kai said. “That’s still greatness.”
Nick Walker’s Sixth-Place Finish and the Bigger Picture
When co-host Vlad brought up Nick Walker, who many fans predicted to win but ended up in sixth, Kai responded with perspective. He explains that when you’re placing in the Olympia, you’re among the best in the world. Sixth place doesn’t mean you failed – it means you’re top ten globally.
Kai emphasized that setbacks don’t define an athlete’s future. Nick Walker can still become Mr. Olympia. Every year brings new opportunity. Instead of asking what he did wrong, people should recognize what he did right. He’s still one of the elite.”
Derek Lunsford’s Chest Injury Shocks Kai Greene
In one of the biggest surprises of the discussion, Vlad revealed that Derek Lunsford tore his chest just 16 days before the Olympia. Kai was genuinely shocked by the news.
“I didn’t know that,” he said. “A pec tear can end a career. For him to not only compete but to win—it’s unbelievable.”
When asked if he had ever competed through injury, Kai admitted that it’s more common than most fans realize. “Every pro bodybuilder has competed hurt,” he explained. “Maybe not a full tear, but everyone knows that feeling of having to perform while something’s not right. It’s part of the grind.”
Lee Haney’s Call for Two Men’s Open Classes
After the Olympia, eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney made waves by suggesting that the Men’s Open division should be split into two categories. Haney argued that taller athletes like Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and Tabani have more balanced physiques, while shorter athletes like Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Nick Walker carry more muscle density. His statement:
“The results are confusing to say the least. There’s always room for new standards.”
Kai Greene expressed deep respect for Haney’s perspective. “Lee Haney is a legend,” Kai said. “I’d love to have a real conversation with him about how that would work.”
However, Kai also pushed back slightly. “History shows that height doesn’t limit dominance,” he said. “Dominance isn’t defined by your height—it’s about how you present your physique, your proportions, your conditioning.”
Lightning Round: Kai Greene’s Rapid-Fire Answers
Toward the end of the episode, Kai took on two fan questions in a lightning round, offering raw and practical advice from decades in the game.
Q1: What usually throws off a peak right before a contest?
Kai’s answer surprised some listeners. “Sometimes you’ve just got the wrong people in your hotel room.”
He used a metaphor to explain: “Think of synchronized swimmers. If even one person is out of sync, it’s ruined. That’s how it is during show week. If your energy or the people around you are off, it can wreck your focus. Sometimes, you just need to be alone.”
Q2: Would you keep competing if you didn’t make the top 10 for three years straight?
Kai didn’t hesitate. “Yes. There’s no quitting,” he said. “Every athlete knows there are no guarantees. You compete because you love it, not because it’s easy.”
He reminded listeners that success in bodybuilding often comes after years of struggle. “We only see the success stories once they’ve already broken through,” Kai said. “But before that, there were years of challenges and uncertainty. You keep pushing because that’s what passion demands.”
Kai Greene’s Final Thoughts on the 2025 Mr. Olympia
In closing, Kai celebrated the modern Olympia for its excitement, unpredictability, and evolving competitive spirit.
“The Olympia stage today shows that anything can happen,” Kai said. “That’s what makes it beautiful. It’s not just about muscles—it’s about the heart, the preparation, and the courage it takes to stand there.”
Kai ended by reminding fans and athletes alike that no one is untouchable and no victory is permanent. “Every year is a new story,” he said. “And that’s what keeps bodybuilding alive.”
