Dennis James Analyzes Nick Walker’s Path to 2025 Mr. Olympia Victory: “He Must Catch These Competitors Off Guard”
With the 2025 Mr. Olympia on the horizon, speculation surrounding Nick Walker’s potential to claim the sport’s most prestigious title is intensifying. On March 6, 2025, veteran bodybuilding analysts Dennis James and Chris Cormier dissected whether Walker could emerge victorious if all elite contenders presented their peak physiques on stage.
Unlike his explosive rookie campaign, Walker has faced notable setbacks in the IFBB Pro League. After suffering debilitating hamstring and calf injuries, he was sidelined from the 2023 Olympia. However, he rebounded by clinching victory at the 2024 New York Pro against Martin Fitzwater. Despite his resurgence, adversity struck again.
In the final weeks leading to the 2024 Mr. Olympia, Walker withdrew from competition, citing that his body failed to respond optimally to contest prep. From the sidelines, he witnessed Samson Dauda etch his name into the history books with his first Sandow Trophy win. Now, with a revamped coaching team, Walker is laser-focused on redemption. He has officially committed to the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, an event marking the debut of the Men’s Open division on its prestigious stage.
Dennis James and Chris Cormier Debate: Can Walker Triumph If Every Contender Peaks?
During a recent YouTube discussion, Dennis James posed a pivotal question: Can a fully dialed-in Nick Walker dethrone Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, and Andrew Jacked if they all arrive at their absolute best?
Can Nick Walker at 100% beat a Samson at 100%, beat a Hadi at 100%, beat a Derek at 100%, and beat a Martin at 100% right now? And Andrew Jacked,” James shared.
Chris Cormier voiced skepticism about Walker’s chances in such a stacked lineup, while James suggested that Walker’s only viable route to victory would be to capitalize on any lapses from his rivals.
“Everybody at 100%, probably not,” replied Chris Cormier.
“Nick Walker is, for me, and this is what I’ve always said, he needs to catch these guys off guard,” explains James.
“It has to be the right show,” adds Cormier.
Milos Sarcev weighed in, asserting that Walker’s all-time best showing occurred in 2021 when he secured his lone Arnold Classic title. Sarcev speculated that had Walker stepped on stage at the 2025 Arnold Classic, he would have been in contention for a third-place finish against Andrew Jacked.
“He took some time off, right? He’s coming back with a vengeance. He believes in himself. Don’t discount him,” shared Sarcev. “When he won [2021] Arnold Classic [he was at his best]. That performance that he had there shocked me. His stomach was flat throughout the whole prejudging and finals with deep abs.”
“His onstage persona is second to none. He’ll bring you in. You are feeling everything he’s feeling,” Cormier shared.
Offering guidance, James advised Walker against prioritizing additional mass, stressing the importance of refining his physique rather than chasing size increases.
“I think he would have been battling for third with Andrew Jacked,” argued Sarcev if Walker competed at the Arnold Classic 2025.
This isn’t the first time prominent bodybuilding figures have questioned Walker’s Olympia-winning potential. Recently, athletes’ representative Bob Cicherillo remarked that Walker lacks the structural advantages necessary to conquer the division’s elite. In response, Walker remained steadfast in his ambition, dismissing critics and reaffirming his determination to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
“I just hope he doesn’t think he has to get big. I think he just needs to stop worrying about size. Your physique can only hold so much weight to look good. Now, look at Derek.
Derek was 50-60 pounds less than Samson and still beat him. This can be his downfall if he’s trying to be too heavy. He’s about the same height as Derek.”
Walker maintains that at his absolute peak, he is capable of securing a top-three finish at the 2025 Mr. Olympia. However, his immediate challenge lies in qualifying for the grandest stage of bodybuilding—a mission that begins at the highly anticipated Pittsburgh Pro.
