As the Arnold Classic 2026 is in the corner, and with the season's biggest stars sharing physique and preparation updates, the buzz in Birmingham and Columbus is growing.

The focus is mainly on 2 vital Men’s Open contenders, Hadi Choopan and Andrew Jacked. Both bodybuilders have built elite momentum by earning the titles of the Arnold Classic 2024 and Arnold Classic UK in the Open division in 2022, respectively.

The official Instagram update from the Arnold Sports Festival brass intensified the situation. It read, “@andrewjacked and @hadi_choopan enter Columbus and Birmingham as two of the heavy favorites in the Men’s Open at the 2026 Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic UK, bringing elite size and conditioning into a stacked bodybuilding lineup!"

Other notable competitors who will also clash with Choopan and Jacked in the Men's open are:

• Nick Walker
• Brandon Curry
• Martinez Fitzwater
• Tonio Burton
• Rafael Brandao
• Hassan Mostafa
• Akim Willams
• Mohamed Hassan.

The stats also build excitement. Hadi Choopan weighs around 200 lbs, stands at 5’7”, and represents Iran, who got his visa after a lot of uncertainty. On the contrary, Andrew Jacked weighs nearly 280-299 lbs and stands at 6’2, and he is hailing from Nigeria.

Now, the question is: between Choopan and Jacked, who do the veterans think can win the event?

Bodybuilding veterans' thoughts on Hadi Choopan and Andrew Jacked

On February 5, 2026, Jose Raymond predicted his top 2 for the event, ready to hit the stage between March 5 and 8. His predicted Jacked as the winner, and Choopan as the runner up.

Even Lee Priest said, “If Andrew is on, he could walk out and be like a Ronnie Coleman, where we look at him and go, oh, he’s won, who is second, third, and fourth? That’s if he’s at his best”.

Chris Aceto, the bodybuilding coach, also praised Andrew Jacked’s level of motivation and mindset, saying the Nigerian bodybuilder looks “freaky”.

However, not all are supporting Jacked. In an episode of Generation Iron, Victor Martinez highlighted that Choopan, who entered the 2025 Mr. Olympia stage with elite shape, could take the 2026 Arnold Classic title at home.

So, with even the veterans having different opinions, who do you think will win this time?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy