Nick Walker’s professional bodybuilding story has certainly had its ups and downs. The man they call “The Mutant” won the Arnold in 2021, but has since built a history of skipping matches. Still, he made an impressive return to the podium in 2025 with a stellar performance at the Pittsburgh Pro, missing Olympia qualifying by the narrowest of margins thanks to Derek Lunsford. But even as runner-up, Walker’s physique was much improved and soon after he earned Mr Olympia qualification, taking a record third victory at the New York Pro in May. However, despite this monstrous momentum, Walker only managed sixth place during the Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas in 2025, and he noted that he failed to reach his peak in Sin City. With The Mutant now gearing up for the 2026 Arnold in March, the Threat Podcast The panel felt that there could be more highlights in Nick Walker’s story.
How can Nick Walker win the 2026 Arnold Classic?
During the show, Dennis James pointed out that while Walker looks great on Instagram and provides his fans with impressive content, the proof will really come when Walker takes the stage. “I still believe Nick Walker has a chance to win the Arnold,” the announcer said. Milos Sarcev and Jose Raymond agreed with the comment as James continued. “If someone is not there, and Nick Walker is, I still believe he can win The Arnold.”
Some of those other competitors who should be ‘out’ that night include Hadi Choopan, who won the 2024 Arnold Classic in both the US and UK, and Martin Fitzwater who won the Prague Pro in October.
What does Walker have to do to impress the judges? “If he’s under 250 pounds, peeled, like he was at The Arnold (in 2021), I think he can win the Arnold,” James explained. “It doesn’t matter if (the other competitors) are ‘on’ or not.”
Jose Raymond told his colleagues that he had heard that Walker weighed closer to 270 pounds during his disappointing performance of Mr. Olympia. “He can carry the size, but the stomach and control are not there,” added Dennis James. Milos Sarcev then noted that the number of judges’ comparisons and the amount of time Walker must remain conditioned on stage could be another key factor that could determine Walker’s final position. If The Mutant can turn this feedback into something positive, the big man could potentially punish his opponents in Columbus, Ohio, in March.
To watch the full show, where the gang also discussed posing practice and other current bodybuilding news, see below:
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