Dennis James: Derek Lunsford Is the Most Hated Since Phil Heath
Mr. Olympia reigning two-time champion Derek Lunsford is drawing in both the spotlight on and off the stage, with the 2026 contest now just under 13 weeks away. It appears to the majority of fans that he's the top contender to hold the title this year, but bodybuilding veteran Dennis James thinks that he's among the most controversial figures in the sport right now and says he's "received the same criticism as Phil Heath did" before his 7th reign as Mr. Olympia.
James spoke on a YouTube podcast about his concerns over the backlash against Lunsford, and Milos Sarcev weighed in on Nick Walker's prospects at the next Tampa Pro.
Derek Lunsford Heads Into Olympia as the Man to Beat
In 2025, Lunsford had one of the best years in the history of the bodybuilding industry. He won at the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr Olympia to become the male equivalent of a "Triple Crown," or the top competitor in the sport.
Instead of heading straight back to the competition after the event, Lunsford took the off-season to tighten up his look and especially his chest and biceps in preparation for a return to the Olympia contest.
But his journey to a third Sandow Trophy might be more difficult. Omaero Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obiekea is one of the biggest threats to take place after defeating Nick Walker and securing a $750,000 payday at the 2026 Arnold Classic. Later on, Jacked also won another major title at the Arnold Classic UK, putting him even more in the money.
The feud between the two guys heated up during an earlier complete battle Olympia workout, where they were seen squabbling. Then Lunsford assured Jacked that he'd never win the Sandow Trophy, fueling even more excitement for a fight the two sluggers are rumored to have planned in Las Vegas.
Dennis James Calls Derek Lunsford the Most Hated Bodybuilder Since Phil Heath
As part of the discussion, Jose Raymond raised the issue of the criticism Lunsford faced spiking on social media.
“Has anyone noticed the enormous amount of hate Derek has been getting in the last couple of weeks?” asks Jose Raymond. “They are just shitting on him.”
Lunsford has come to a place where he applies negative media as the fuel he's using, James says:
“I think Derek is at a point in his life right now where this doesn’t bother him no more. I think it fuels him and makes him get better. I think all this negative fuckin bullshit people talk about him… and I understand one thing, when you don’t know him and never really talk to him, he can come across as a little arrogant.”
James equated Lunsford with Phil Heath, who is notorious for trash-talking rivals before the Olympia.
“You’re right, I think he’s the most hated one since Phil,” said Dennis James.
“A lot of people don’t like it. You know how it is nowadays. Everyone wants to see the champ lose. It’s not like you want to support the champ to win another one. Those times are long gone. Everybody is rooting for the underdog, and when the underdog wins, then they start rooting for someone else because you’re already on top.”
In a change of direction, Milos Sarcev previewed Walker’s chances at the Tampa Pro, labeling him a major favorite:
“If you are Nick, you’re always a top Olympian. You almost beat Derek at Pittsburgh last year. And then he placed second at the Arnold Classic this year, so he’s absolutely a top Olympian. Jo is still not there. Jo is not considered like top-six material,” shares Sarcev. “If he beats Nick, of course. Nick is a major favorite going into this show.”
Olympia Race Continues to Heat Up
While most of the press ever written about Mr. Olympia 2026 has focused on Derek Lunsford and Andrew Jacked, the event isn't out of the mix yet. The depth in this year's field is what is prompting head judge Steve Weinberger to say that as many as eight people may have a shot at winning the Sandow Trophy.
With the criticism and pressure mounting, Lunsford looks like he's only concerned about getting ready for his third straight Mr. Olympia crown. From September 24-27, the world's finest bodybuilders will compete in Las Vegas, Nevada, to become the next Mr. Olympia.