Milos Sarcev believes Hadi Choopan would have defeated Nick Walker at the 2026 Mr. Olympia if visa issues had not prevented the former champion from competing.
Nick Walker shocked the bodybuilding world by capturing his first Mr. Olympia title in 2026, but not everyone believes the outcome would have been the same with a full lineup. Veteran bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev recently claimed that former champion Hadi Choopan would have defeated Walker had he been able to compete in Las Vegas.
During an October 8 episode of The Menace Podcast, Sarcev discussed Walker’s victory alongside Dennis James and Jose Raymond. While the panel praised Walker for bringing arguably the best physique of his career, Sarcev insisted that Choopan had the tools necessary to defeat the newly crowned champion.
Choopan was forced to miss the 2026 Mr. Olympia due to visa complications, leaving one of bodybuilding’s most consistent contenders out of the competition.
Milos Sarcev Believes Hadi Choopan Would Have Defeated Nick Walker at 2026 Mr. Olympia
Sarcev, who has been working with Choopan ahead of his anticipated return to competition, expressed confidence that the former Mr. Olympia champion could have won the contest.
“He’s so goddamn focused right now,” Sarcev said. “He would have won. You know that.”
Dennis James agreed that Choopan would have presented a particularly difficult challenge for Walker.
“He must be mad,” James said about Choopan missing the competition and watching Walker claim the title.
“I think he would fare better with Nick than Samson,” James added.
One of the biggest factors in Walker’s victory was his conditioning. The Mutant arrived in Las Vegas displaying impressive muscularity and sharpness, ultimately defeating Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford to secure the Sandow Trophy.
Sarcev acknowledged that Walker’s conditioning was unmatched by the athletes who competed, but argued that Choopan could have challenged him in that department.
“Nobody was touching Nick’s conditioning… he [Choopan] would’ve.”
James also believed that Choopan’s trademark conditioning could have made the difference.
“If he would have been in normal Hadi Choopan conditioning, absolutely, he would have been just as sharp, maybe not from the back, but from the front,” James explained.
However, Jose Raymond offered a different perspective. While acknowledging that Walker benefited from some of his rivals not appearing at their absolute best, Raymond maintained that the judges made the correct decision.
“I agree with the decision. I think Nick looked phenomenal. He looked the best he ever looked,” Raymond said.
“The people who can beat him weren’t at their all-time best, and he was. He very well could have ended up in fourth if everyone was spot-on like he was.”
Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan Could Meet Again at the 2027 Arnold Classic
The debate comes after an impressive comeback season for Walker.
Following a disappointing sixth-place finish at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, Walker began rebuilding his momentum at the 2026 Arnold Classic, where he finished second behind Andrew Jacked and ahead of Choopan.
Walker then captured the 2026 Tampa Pro title before delivering his career-defining performance at the Olympia.
Choopan, meanwhile, has already turned his attention toward the 2027 Arnold Classic. Sarcev recently confirmed that the 2022 Mr. Olympia champion is preparing for the competition, scheduled for March 4-7 in Columbus, Ohio.
Walker has also expressed his intention to compete at the Arnold Classic, potentially setting up another showdown between the two bodybuilding stars. Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked have also indicated plans to enter, making the event one of the most anticipated contests of the upcoming season.
The panel also discussed whether Derek Lunsford might join the lineup, with Sarcev questioning why the former Olympia champion would pass up an opportunity to compete for another substantial cash prize.
For now, the question of whether Choopan could have defeated Walker at the 2026 Mr. Olympia remains hypothetical. Walker earned his victory against the athletes who stepped onstage, while Choopan never had the opportunity to present his physique to the judges.
However, with both men targeting the 2027 Arnold Classic, bodybuilding fans may not have to wait long to see how they compare in another major competition.
Image embed via Instagram @hadi_choopan
