Where the best come to play: Mr. Olympia Rundown

Most of us really ain't friends tho............

It All Comes Down to This

If you're a bodybuilding fan, then is simply the best time of year. The Mr. Olympia is once again upon us and the numerous status updates on social media won't let us forget it. Here we'll find out who will be the undisputed king of bodybuilding. Will it be Phil Heath who seeks his fifth win in a row? Can Shawn Rhoden or Kai Greene pull out an upset? Can Dexter Jackson be a possible winner as he's been firing on all cylinders this year? In just a few days we'll find out, but until then, let's take a look at the current group of possibilities to finish in the top slots.

*Competitors in no particular order.

1: Phil Heath

Lets not really kid ourselves. Heath would have to royally fuck things up to lose. And by royally I mean shoot himself in the face and cut both his chest muscles open. While he lost a bit of crispness last year and came in a bit too heavy, know that he's more than likely corrected that issue and will be on point game day. His overall shape and density shows why he's Mr. O. But to slam the door shut again, he has to be in the detail we saw in 2011 when he dethroned Jay Cutler. That was a his best package to date and anything resembling that form will win.

The Current Mr. O

2: Kai Greene

As of the time this post was written, by most accounts, Kai Greene is out of the O. However, I'm going to approach this post as if he's in. The bottom line is that he has to be hard. Period. No reason to outsize Heath. Both men are big, but it's going to be who will have the better condition. Kai doesn't have the structure of Phil, but if he can come in great condition, it's on. Everyone see's Kai time has past and I just don't see it.

Will he or won't he? Only Kai know's

3: Shawn Rhoden

In my opinion, Shawn is heir apparent to the Mr. O. He has it all. Shape, great flow to his physique and condition. His knock, and it's a very small and petty knock, is that he really doesn't outsize anyone in the top five. He really doesn't have to. He brings some nasty condition and keeps his waist tight, he makes a run for first. No doubt about it. He's been in California training with Charles Glass and it seems to be going well although he's covered up a ton (is 1000 degrees bro), but know that he, Charles Glass and Chris Aceto are looking to bring a crazy package.

You going to win or nah?

4: Dennis Wolf: 

He pulled off the winning last years Arnold Classic in Ohio and Arnold Europe in Spain.  And he could have arguably been as high as second at the  Mr. O in 2014. He has the size and shape, but I'm still not sold on him being Mr. O. Just can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't have that "WOW" factor to me. Not saying he isn't good, I just don't see him as hoisting the Sandow. He'll have everything he needs to have to compete in this show though. And with a year off, he could hurt some feelings.

Fan Favorite. Mine? He coo.

5: Branch Warren:

Anyone counting this man out is stupid. Period.  He will be in shape. He didn't look his normal gnarly self in New Jersey where he nabbed a qualifying spot, but he still looked good enough to win. And with an extra couple weeks of training and dieting, he's going to look like the Branch we all know and love. With that being said, I don't believe he's a threat to win, but a threat to breaking the top five for sure. No one really needs to speak out his freaky size, not about his crazy condition, but compared to the aforementioned men, his shape lags big time. He's this generation's closest thing to Rich Gaspari and that's not a bad thing.

Gnarly! but enough for the top six?

6: Dexter Jackson

In this field, Dexter is someone who could place as low 5th, or as high as first (yes I said it). His density is just insane, like he can't get fat or out of shape even at his age. If Branch is our Gaspari, then Jackson is our Vince Taylor. Someone who can conceivably compete in their 50's and unlike Taylor, still win shows at 50. He is a lesson on longevity. His ONLY knock is size, but he's proved that to almost be a non-factor as he doesn't really look all that small.

Age has been good to him.

7: Mamdouh Elssbiay 

Just call him Big Ramy. And I mean BIG. Size is not an issue at all. Coming in separated is.  I can hear it now......

"But look at the size of him! If he came in shape, he's gonna win the O"

If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle. Bottom line, he's not where a Mr. Olympia should be as far as conditioning. If he's in his best condition ever, he'll be a force, but I doubt it.

Big and shapely.

8: Cedric McMillan

Besides Rhoden, the best combination of size and shape up on the stage competing today. His only downfall is, once again, conditioning. The flow to his physique is just classic. It's like Serge Nubret supersized, but if he isn't hard, gonna be a long night. If he's ready to rumble in the conditioning department......He could, conceivably, be as high as third.

New age Serge Nubret

9: Max Charles

He made tremendous improvement over the last year culminating in a 3rd at the NY Pro and a win at the Tampa Pro. His legs are still a bit undersized when compared to some other top finishers, but his upper body is on par. He's still green which is the scary part. Condition does not seem to be an issue with him as I've never seen him out of shape. Expect a solid showing. Nothing earth shattering, but a definite "I belong here and I'm going to improve" outing.

An Olympia rookie without looking like one

10: Victor Martinez

The Dominican Dominator has been up and down over the past couple of years. At times you think he's going to make his way back up into the top standings, but it doesn't happen. His shape is still intact, his side chest and tricep continues to impress, and his back is still a solid bodypart. I'm not sure what he'll bring. If the NY Pro is used as a measuring stick, he should make a solid showing.

Doe's he still have it?

11: Juan Morel

He finally broke through winning a top pro show in the NY Pro. His chest and back are crazy big and his conditioning is starting to get olympia level. Still a bit shallow in the lower body, but that will come over time. He's not a rookie, but the "sophomore jinx" is real. I'm not sure on what he'll bring. But rest assured, he'll carb up on Five Guys and look crazy!

Carbs up off burgers, looks better than lots of pros.

12: Steve Kuclo:

He's made great improvements since teaming up with Neil Hill. I think he should've won in San Antonio actually and I'm a Johnny Jackson fan. Kuclo's chest is still an issue, and hes still filling out his frame. The similarity to Jay Cutler is uncanny. Another guy I'm not sure where he'll fall. Let's categorize him in the "still building" phase.

King Snake makes his way back to Vegas.

13: Dallas McCarver: 

A rookie that's not looking like one. Him and Matt Jansen are really having a bang-up prep. Yes, I know the line of "everyone looks good alone" but can we appreciate this guy winning his pro debut and making big improvements since May? He's not a legit threat for the crown, but he'll be another one who's going to show he's here and he will improve.

Bigger AND better.

14: Jonathan Delarosa:

He won the Chicago Pro this year and is one of the smaller guys in the line up. He's a ball of muscle with good shape. I just think he may get lost in the crowd. I could be wrong though. His conditioning could get to another level. He's with Aceto, so it won't be an issue by the time he steps onstage this coming Saturday.

What's he bringing to the O this year?

                                                                   Guys to Watch For

William Bonac: Crazy thick who's another Neil Hill client. He's like Delarosa as he won't outsize anyone and he's one of the smaller stature athletes. But he's climbing.

Johnnie Jackson: Conditioned Johnnie gets looked at for a possible top ten slot. Non-conditioned Johnnie does not. Just that simple.

Needs to be shredded to be noticed

Fred Smalls: BIG improvements over the past year especially from the rear. He still needs to improve a bit before he can be considered a top 6 finisher. Quite a bit.

Stock is rising

Roelly Winklaar: Needs to be shredded. Period

Big is fine, but hard condition will make them notice

Essa Obaid: Same as Roelly. Has to be shredded to get a nod even though he has some good muscle.

Where will he land? 

Lots of questions will be answered. Where will Wolf and Rhoden be fighting? Will Kai even compete? with all that being said, first won't be in question though. Heath will win number 5, but will it be in slam dunk fashion like 2011.......or something else?

Photo's courtesy of:
NPCnewsonline.com
Musculardevelopment.com