Introduction
So friends, welcome to today’s blog. Today, we have brought a lot of updates for all of you from the world of international bodybuilding.
Now that the Arnold Classic has ended, a lot of things are happening in the international bodybuilding scene.
We are seeing some controversial updates, which were usually seen in Indian bodybuilding earlier, but now similar situations are also being seen among international bodybuilders.
So friends, we are going to tell you about all these updates. Let’s begin today’s blog.
Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked And Derek Lunsford Controversy
So, friends, first of all, let’s talk about three bodybuilders who are currently involved in a controversy: Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and Derek Lunsford.
So friends, after winning the Arnold Classic, Andrew Jacked is interviewed on RX Muscle.
There is some conversation happening between the interviewers, and during that, Andrew Jacked says that Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford ignored him backstage and didn’t even say “hey” to him backstage.
So Andrew makes these allegations.
Andrew jacked is looking very angry here at his competitors who are samson Dauda or Derek Lunsford.
When Samson Dauda hears this, He personally DM to Andrew jacked or write this message (hey brother wanted to wait for the dust to settle congratulations. I am very proud of you bro this is the moment. we’ve been waiting for big things are coming enjoy it all brother well done)
So in these messages, Samson Dauda congratulates or acknowledges Andrew Jacked.
In reply to this message, Andrew Jacked writes
“firstly bro i will take accountability and apologize for the misunderstanding i will always will respect you not as a colleague or competitor but as a brother from same homeland same state even.”
So this is how Andrew Jacked responds to Samson Dauda.
So friends, the controversy between these two gets cleared, and both bodybuilders handle the situation with great maturity.
Instead of escalating things on social media, they talk like men and sort out everything.
But now the question is, what happens between Derek Lunsford and Andrew Jacked? So friends, Derek Lunsford responds to this controversy by saying:
“This is not true. i do my best to talk with everyone.
We are colleagues as much as we are competitors. in fact, i went to backstage to congratulate him (like i do every show) and he barely acknowledges me and walks away.
Funny how the narrative is always backwards. Martin said the same thing about me in Pittsburgh and Olympia… but the truth is that i was trying to uplift him while i was being cursed at.
Ask his coach William bonac who was there. back to this past weekend and Andrew. my friend and videographer was filming this past weekend at the Arnold.
several times i went up to Andrew and he didn’t seem to want to talk to me.
So i respectfully walked away for the first time. when i said congratulations for winning he walked away.
Not to mention i invited Andrew to my gym but he refuses to come. we have the best from all around the world coming to my gym, but he choose to avoid me.”
So friends, this is what Derek Lunsford writes about Andrew Jacked.
For now, the situation between these two seems quite heated. So friends, this is the controversy going on between Andrew Jacked, Samson Dauda, and Derek Lunsford.
Martin Fitzwater Controversy
So friends, the next controversy is coming from Martin Fitzwater’s side. It seems like Martin Fitzwater became the villain of bodybuilding within just one day.
Now, what exactly happened with Martin at the Arnold Classic—I want to explain it to you in full detail.
At the Arnold Classic 2026, Martin did not show sportsmanship.
When the results were announced and Nick Walker got 2nd place, Martin was seen celebrating that moment—basically celebrating his competitor’s loss. Here, we clearly see an unsportsmanlike reaction from him.
And when Martin’s own placing was announced, he shook hands with all the bodybuilders but ignored Nick Walker and did not shake hands with him.
Many people and even experts have said that Martin made the biggest mistake of his career.
After these incidents, his sponsors dropped him. Now friends, what is the main source of income for bodybuilders? Sponsors.
Apart from that, they earn from bodybuilding shows or through coaching. But here, sponsors have left Martin Fitzwater, which will directly affect his income.
There are also rumors coming out that Martin Fitzwater might quit bodybuilding.
Another thing noticed was that Martin kept disabling and re-enabling his social media accounts repeatedly, and after that, he would post some unusual content, which made people feel that maybe his mental health was not okay.
Within the industry, his reputation was badly damaged, and people spread a lot of hate against him. So friends, after all these incidents, Martin Fitzwater is seen apologizing.
Now let me tell you what he wrote in his apology.
He told his fans that the attitude he showed was not professional at all. He said that he has always tried to be a professional, but his recent behavior does not represent him or his team on the Arnold Classic stage. Martin Fitzwater also said, “I am sorry to my true fans.”
After that, Martin writes in his message that, like everyone else, he is also a human being.
Just like a normal person, he also goes through struggles.
But the difference between a normal person and him is that his mistakes are judged under a microscope—meaning his mistakes are magnified and shown on a much bigger scale.
So friends, this is what Martin shared in his Instagram message, where he apologized to everyone for his recent behavior.
Nick Walker Reaction After Arnold Classic 2026
So friends, the next update is coming from Nick Walker—the same person whose handshake Martin Fitzwater ignored.
Finally, we get to see his reaction on his YouTube channel.
He says that he has finally beaten Hadi Choopan. At the Arnold Classic, Hadi Choopan secured 3rd place, while Nick Walker finished in 2nd place.
Although things didn’t go exactly the way Nick Walker wanted:
And Nick Walker said I am very happy I beat Hadi Choopan, who is a great champion. I had set a goal to beat hadi chopan, and I have achieved that milestone.
I am extremely proud of my package. I came in with perfect dryness, my conditioning was on point, my posing was good, and I was definitely in the best shape of my life.”
So this is what Nick Walker says in his YouTube video. And honestly, friends, this time Nick Walker presented a very impressive package on stage.
He came in excellent shape at this Arnold Classic. This time, Nick Walker was doing his self-prep without any coach.
When Nick Walker is asked which show he will compete in next, nick walker says that at this time he doesn’t want to rush anymore in any show.
He has been in prep for a long time—since January 2025—so now he wants to take a longer break.
Then he is asked whether he will compete in the New York Pro, since Nick Walker is well known for that show and has been a three-time champion there.
He replies that he will not compete, as he already mentioned that he wants a break.
After that, Nick Walker is asked whether Martin Fitzwater has apologized to him. Nick responds that it’s Martin’s choice—if he wants, he can apologize; otherwise, it’s not an issue.
So friends, this is the situation between Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater.
Conclusion
So friends, if we look at all these updates together, one thing becomes very clear—bodybuilding is not just about muscles, stage presence, and trophies anymore.
It’s also about mindset, attitude, and how you carry yourself as an athlete both on and off the stage.
On one side, we saw how Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked handled their situation with maturity and respect.
Instead of dragging things on social media, they chose to communicate directly and clear the misunderstanding like true professionals.
This shows the real spirit of bodybuilding—respect among competitors.
On the other hand, the situation between Derek Lunsford and Andrew Jacked is still a bit heated, which reminds us that in such a competitive sport, emotions can sometimes take over.
But at the end of the day, fans always expect top-level athletes to maintain professionalism.
Then comes the Martin Fitzwater controversy, which teaches a very important lesson. One small mistake on a big stage can impact your entire career—your reputation, your sponsors, and your image in the industry.
However, at the same time, it also shows that everyone is human, and owning your mistakes and apologizing is the first step toward making things right.
And finally, Nick Walker’s reaction brings a positive and motivating angle to all of this. Despite not winning the title, he focused on his personal growth, achieving his goals, and improving himself.
That’s the mindset of a true champion—always striving to be better rather than just chasing trophies.
So friends, these were some of the biggest updates and controversies from the international bodybuilding scene after the Arnold Classic.
Going forward, it will be very interesting to see how these athletes respond, improve, and come back stronger in upcoming competitions.