Milos Sarcev and Dennis James Laud Derek Lunsford’s 2025 Mr. Olympia Victory

[MuscleMecca Crew]

In October 2025, Derek Lunsford reclaimed the Mr. Olympia title in one of the most tightly contested contests in years. Esteemed insiders Milos Sarcev and Dennis James publicly declared Lunsford a deserving winner and offered sharp criticism of Nick Walker’s showing. Their commentary sparked debates across the bodybuilding community on condition, posing strategy, and judging subtleties.



In this article we cover:

• What Sarcev and James said, in detail
• How Lunsford’s physique compared to Hadi Choopan and others
• Why Nick Walker dropped to sixth, and the flaws the experts emphasized
• Implications for future contests and judging standards

Expert Commentary: What Sarcev & James Actually Said​

Sarcev: “He Was Chosen by Qualified Judges”​

Milos Sarcev opened by saying the top three—Choopan, Andrew Jacked, and Lunsford—could have all won, but argued the judges made the right call with Lunsford. He reminded fans that Lunsford “didn’t choose himself” and credited the judges’ objectivity.

Key Sarcev points:

• Lunsford presented exceptional thickness and width, especially in the legs and back.
• He corrected a prior weakness; Sarcev said Lunsford’s legs once held him back, but now they were a weapon.
• Choopan remained a real threat; Sarcev added that if Choopan had slightly better chest depth in key poses, he could have flipped the result.

James: “He Peaked Exactly When It Counted”​

Dennis James praised Lunsford’s balance of size, fullness, and conditioning. He questioned claims that Lunsford peaked three separate times (Arnold, Pittsburgh, Olympia) and said it was one long, carefully managed prep.

James argued:

• Lunsford’s physique was ideal for this Olympia lineup—big, full, and detailed.
• On Saturday, Lunsford narrowly edged Choopan, who might have looked better alone, but the two-day scoring favored Derek.
• On Nick Walker: the criticism about his midsection was overstated, but structural flaws become more visible as conditioning fades.

Physique Comparison: Lunsford vs Choopan vs Walker​

Lunsford’s Edge: Mass, Density, and Flow​

Lunsford stood out with the most complete package.

• His legs, once a weak point, were now among the best in the field.
• His upper body showed world-class density and back width.
• His conditioning struck the right balance—dry and crisp but still full.

Choopan: “Deadly” If Judging Tilted Slightly​

Choopan still impressed with his dense, muscular build. Sarcev said that in some sequences, Choopan could dominate, especially in side chest and lat spread poses. But minor softness or flatness in others may have cost him critical points.

Walker’s Decline: Lacking the Shock Factor​

Nick Walker’s drop to sixth was unexpected. Sarcev noted that “freak factor” only wins when matched with top-tier conditioning, which Walker lacked this time. James added that his abdominal control failed during long rounds, hurting overall presentation.

Judging and Scoring Dynamics​

Friday vs Saturday: How Lunsford Secured the Win​

Lunsford built his lead on Friday’s prejudging. Even though Choopan brought more energy on Saturday, it wasn’t enough to erase Lunsford’s early advantage. The final scores reflected a one-point margin—a razor-thin victory.

Symmetry and Presentation Matter​

James pointed out that even minor conditioning lapses expose flaws that judges can’t ignore. Walker’s relaxed core in the back double biceps was one of those moments that cost him points.

The Top Three Are Always Close​

Sarcev emphasized that any of the top three could win on a different night. What separates them is who holds condition, symmetry, and poise across both rounds.

Consequences and Future Outlook​

Lunsford vs Choopan Rivalry Continues​

This result ensures another chapter in the rivalry. Choopan will likely come back with refinements in fullness and hardness, while Lunsford will aim to maintain his blend of shape and density.

Walker Needs to Regain His Edge​

Walker must rediscover his extreme conditioning while keeping his signature mass. Improving endurance for long comparisons and core control should be top priorities.

Judging Trends Favor Consistency​

This Olympia proved judges reward complete physiques over extremes. Symmetry, proportion, and endurance across rounds now outweigh pure mass.

Could Two Open Classes Happen?​

With debates around structure and proportion intensifying, calls for dividing the Open class by height or weight may grow louder. Haney’s suggestion could gain support if future lineups stay this tight.

Final Thoughts​

Derek Lunsford’s 2025 Mr. Olympia win represents mastery of timing, balance, and discipline. Milos Sarcev and Dennis James agreed the result was fair and backed by precise judging. Choopan remains a powerful rival, and Walker has lessons to apply.

The 2025 season closed with one clear message: physique perfection is no longer about extremes—it’s about showing up ready, complete, and consistent across every round.