On Episode 303 of The Menace Podcast, host Dennis James was joined by Milos Sarcev and Jose Raymond, and with around a week to go before the 2026 Mr. Olympia is crowned in Las Vegas, the panel debated the importance of size when flexing on bodybuilding’s biggest stage.
2026 has seen a lot of discussion around size in the world of bodybuilding. From Samson Dauda packing on the muscle to avenge his Olympia standing from last year, to Nick Walker’s mutant-like physique dominating the IFBB Tampa Pro. There’s no doubt that the Open division is the most popular category at the Olympia, where the biggest bodies are on display, but when it comes to the judges, how critical is being colossal while treading the boards? With three former elite bodybuilders making up the panel, James, Sarcev, and Raymond chopped it up
“Does size matter?” asked Sarcev, who is two-time Mr. Yugoslavia, noting that he’d heard s previous conversation between “The Menace” and Jay Cutler, where James had shared a view that he wished he hadn’t chased size so much during his own career. “Normal fan(‘s believe) just bigger, better,” added Sarcev. “… going into this Olympia, Derek (Lunsford) is trying to be bigger, Andrew (Jacked) is trying to be bigger obviously. Nick (Walker), Samson (Dauda), everybody is trying to be bigger. Is this the right call?”
Will ‘Bigger’ Be ‘Better’ at the 2026 Mr. Olympia?
“If I could turn back the time, I wouldn’t chase size,” shared Dennis James, who was a bodybuilding champion in Germany and competed in seven Mr. Olympia finals, placing fourth in 2003.”
Milos Sarcev told the panel that if 2025’s Mr. Olympia, Derek Lunsford, continues to get bigger, “he’s going to ruin his shape.” This was an observation that James agreed with, noting that Lunsford may already be at the point where he can’t put on much more weight. “I think this would hurt him,” added The Menace.
Jose Raymond shared that Lunsford recently weighed in at 252-pounds, which is huge for someone who is 5’6”. “He was an elephant,” mused Raymond. “It was mind boggling.” And yet, the 2015 Arnold Classic 212 champion said that Lunsford was looking great for his efforts.
The panel agree that the success of this strategy around size will be revealed when the athletes get their judges scores on September 27. Will the winner be the biggest bodybuilder, the greatest poser, or the athlete with the best definition and conditioning? We will find out very soon.
To see this conversation in full on The Menace Podcast, where the panel also discussed the latest bodybuilding news, check it out on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel.