Just days before the eagerly awaited 2025 Mr. Olympia showdown, bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman shared his official top ten predictions. His choices have already sparked discussions throughout the fitness community.
Looking Back at a Turbulent Season
The 2024 season saw Samson Dauda rise to the top, defeating former champions Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford to claim bodybuilding's ultimate title. However, Dauda's reign was brief. Lunsford made a comeback at the Arnold Classic earlier this year to regain momentum.
Lunsford, a two-time Mr. Olympia winner, continued to push his limits by competing at the Pittsburgh Pro, where he narrowly beat Nick Walker in a sudden-death tiebreaker. Meanwhile, Hadi Choopan sat out the entire 2025 competitive season, leaving fans curious about what version of “The Persian Wolf” will appear onstage in Las Vegas.
Ronnie Coleman’s Official Top 10 for 2025 Mr. Olympia
- Hadi Choopan
- Nick Walker
- Derek Lunsford
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
- Not Named
- Rafael Brandão
- Behrooz Tabani
- Brandon Curry
- Rubiel Mosquera
High Praise for Nick Walker
Coleman had high praise for Nick “The Mutant” Walker, recognizing him for the most noticeable progress among top athletes this year. He said, “Nick is obviously the guy who’s made the biggest improvements I’ve seen. He’s brought everything up — great back, great hamstrings, glutes — the full package. He’s got Mr. Olympia written all over him. He just needs a bit more time and traction.”
The eight-time Mr. Olympia champion believes Walker’s work ethic and physique make him a future titleholder.
Advice for Samson Dauda
Coleman was also respectful towards Samson Dauda but highlighted areas for improvement. He mentioned, “Samson has everything it takes — a strong back, balanced frame, and impressive presence. But he could use a little more conditioning and muscle separation, especially in the glutes and hamstrings. Once he dials that in, he’s a major threat.”
Coleman’s 2025 Mr. Olympia forecast is bold, placing Choopan back on top, Walker close behind, and Lunsford fighting to regain dominance. With so much proven talent and fresh energy entering the stage, this year’s contest promises one of the most competitive lineups in recent memory.
