Priest believes Burton’s momentum and complete physique could be enough to secure a major victory in Pittsburgh
The 2026 Pittsburgh Pro is shaping up to be one of the most stacked bodybuilding showdowns of the season, and bodybuilding legend Lee Priest has already made his prediction for how the Men’s Open division will play out.
Priest says Tonio Burton will leave Pittsburgh with the victory, beating former Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry
The Pittsburgh Pro is set for May 16-17 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Men’s Open prejudging scheduled for Saturday morning and finals set for Saturday night. The event has rapidly evolved into one of the premier stages in bodybuilding, often featuring Olympia-level talent battling for momentum early in the season.
Priest’s opinion continues to carry major weight in the bodybuilding world. The longtime fan favorite built a reputation during his IFBB career for elite conditioning, freaky arm development, and brutally honest analysis of the sport. Even years after retirement, Priest remains one of the most respected and outspoken voices in bodybuilding media.
Tonio Burton Continues Building Momentum In Men’s Open
His prediction for Tonio Burton reflects the growing belief that Burton is ready for a breakout moment against elite competition.
Burton has steadily climbed the Men’s Open ranks since surviving a shocking motorcycle crash more than one year ago, thanks to his combination of shape, conditioning, symmetry, and improved muscularity. While he may not carry the same mainstream name value as some former Olympia champions, many fans believe his physique has become one of the most complete packages in the division.
If Burton arrives at peak conditioning, Priest believes he has the tools to take out a stacked field and secure one of the biggest wins of his career.
Brandon Curry Still Brings Championship Experience To The Stage
Brandon Curry cannot be overlooked.
The former Mr. Olympia remains one of the most accomplished athletes in the lineup and continues to bring elite structure, fullness, and stage experience every time he competes. Curry’s ability to peak for major contests has kept him firmly in the mix against younger rising stars, and many fans still believe he has the ability to win any show when fully dialed in.
With the Pittsburgh Pro continuing to attract some of the sport’s biggest names, Priest’s predictions have only added more intrigue heading into the weekend.
Now the spotlight shifts to the stage to see whether Tonio Burton can live up to the hype, or whether Brandon Curry reminds the bodybuilding world exactly why he once sat atop the sport.
Featured images via Instagram @brandon_curry, @tonio_burton
