Samson Dauda believes that Derek Lunsford is not “hungry with us” to participate in the pose down and will be “pushed out of the way”
Samson Dauda has responded to Derek Lunsford choosing not to participate in the impromptu pose down at the 2026 Mr. Olympia press conference, making it clear that he believes champions should be willing to face their competition at any time.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia press conference produced one of the most memorable moments of the weekend when Dauda challenged his fellow Men’s Open competitors to stop talking and show what they had brought to Las Vegas. Andrew Jacked and Nick Walker immediately accepted the challenge, joining Dauda onstage for an impromptu physique comparison.
Lunsford, however, remained seated.
Speaking with Beyond The Stage TV after the press conference, Dauda addressed Lunsford’s decision and explained why he believes competitors should be willing to step forward when challenged.
“We all weren’t on social media talking. We weren’t calling people out. We weren’t calling out our competition,” Dauda said. “We respect our competition because they make us better.”
Dauda then turned his attention toward the importance of being willing to face a challenger directly.
“So if you can’t do something on a screen, when it’s in front of your face, it’s time to man up and stand up and say, ‘Oh, yeah you want to be a champion?’” Dauda said.
Samson Dauda Challenges Derek Lunsford to Stand Up
The impromptu pose down began as the 2024 Mr. Olympia champion decided that the time for talking was over. Samson Dauda removed his shirt and challenged the other top Men’s Open competitors to join him.
Nick Walker was quick to accept, while Andrew Jacked also stepped forward. The three bodybuilders then stood side by side and displayed their physiques for the crowd less than 24 hours before the official Men’s Open prejudging. Derek Lunsford did not join them.
Dauda specifically pointed to the willingness of Walker and Jacked to immediately accept the challenge.
“And look, once straight up, Nick got up straight away. Andrew was like, ‘Hell, I’m here we’re fighting,’” Dauda explained.
The moment was notable because Dauda, Jacked, Walker, and Lunsford are among the biggest names in the 2026 Mr. Olympia field. The defending champion is attempting to hold onto the Sandow Trophy, while Dauda is looking to reclaim the title he won in 2024.
Jacked enters the Olympia after a particularly successful 2026 season, including victories at the Arnold Classic in Columbus and Arnold Classic UK. Walker also enters the contest following a strong season that included a second-place finish behind Jacked at the Arnold Classic and a victory at the Tampa Pro.
The press conference pose down therefore provided fans with a rare opportunity to see several leading Olympia contenders directly compared before they officially stepped onstage.
“A Champion Has Got to Be Able to Stand Up”
For Dauda, the issue went beyond simply taking part in an impromptu pose down. He framed the moment as part of what it means to compete for the Mr. Olympia title.
“A champion has got to be able to stand up to any challenger who steps in his way,” Dauda said.
The statement carries additional weight given Dauda’s own Olympia history. In 2024, he famously posed during the Olympia press conference before going on to defeat Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan to capture his first Mr. Olympia title.
Two years later, Dauda once again used the press conference as an opportunity to showcase his physique before prejudging.
The circumstances are different this time. Lunsford reclaimed the Mr. Olympia title in 2025, while Dauda finished fourth. Now, Dauda is attempting to regain the championship and add another Sandow Trophy to his collection.
Dauda also emphasized that he and the other competitors who stepped forward are not interested in waiting for the perfect opportunity to prove themselves.
“We aren’t scared of waiting for the perfect moment to show what we do. We’ve been working all year round for this,” Dauda said.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia Rivalry Continues
Dauda, Lunsford, Jacked, and Walker each arrive in Las Vegas with different storylines surrounding their respective Olympia campaigns. Lunsford is attempting to defend his title, while Dauda is trying to reclaim the championship he won in 2024. Jacked is looking to convert his 2026 success into his first Olympia victory, and Walker is seeking a return to the top of the Men’s Open division.
The press conference pose down did not count toward the Olympia judging, but it provided an early visual comparison between Dauda, Jacked, and Walker. Lunsford’s decision to remain seated subsequently became part of the conversation surrounding the moment.
Dauda finished his comments by making it clear that he believes the competitors who are willing to match his hunger will be the ones standing in his way.
“So you know what? You have to be hungry with us or else we are going to push you out of the way.”
Ultimately, the real comparison will take place under the Olympia lights. The Men’s Open competitors will be judged through the official prejudging and finals, where the judges will determine how each physique compares across the mandatory poses and multiple rounds.
But before the scorecards came out, Samson Dauda made his position clear: he was ready to stand face to face with anyone willing to accept the challenge.
And with Derek Lunsford choosing not to participate in the press conference pose down, the defending Mr. Olympia champion will now have to answer the challenge where it matters most: on the Olympia stage.
Image embed via Instagram @beyondthestagetv_
