Fan favorite bodybuilder Samson Dauda has been quietly settling into this transformed lifestyle in Dubai. The bodybuilding icon dropped a physique update for the first time since competing on stage at the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio. While the Nigerain Lion found himself at the center of some bodybuilding drama after leaving Milos Sarcev, it didn’t affect his focus.

Samson Dauda finished in third place at the 2023 Mr. Olympia and focused on defending his Arnold Classic title. However, he came up short against 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan. Shortly after losing his Arnold Classic crown against the Persian Lion, Dadua announced that he had parted ways with longtime coach Milos Sarcev. Now, the bodybuilder is training with the O2 team.

The Nigerian Lion’s physique update was the first one since joining the O2 team. Samson Dauda posed in front of the camera and showed off his off-season physique with four months left till the Mr. Olmypia. Despite being in the middle of the off-season and changing everything from his coach, gym, and lifestyle, Dauda looked massive yet conditioned.

“Onto the next chapter… Coming this Summer, I will be joining the @o2_gyms Team under the watchful eye of @bader_boodai and the Oxygen team while being coached by my wife @marlenka1,” wrote Samson Dauda in his announcement from May 8th. While bodybuilders often change coaches, things got controversial for Dauda.

Milos Sarcev and many others pointed out that Samson Dauda lost his Arnold Classic title because he couldn’t match Hadi Choopan’s condition. Fans have complained that conditioning has been Dauda’s Achilles heel for a long time. However, Sarcev acknowledged it on an episode of Cutler Cast. Yet, the former coach and his pupil still have mutual respect for one another. However, Dauda ran into a rough patch after leaving the Serbian bodybuilding coach.

Samson Dauda went back to the drawing board

The Mr. Olympia bronze medalist fell ill after the Arnold Classic in Ohio and thought he could compete at the Arnold Classic UK. While he recovered in time for the show, it took a physical toll. The departure from his coach followed his illness, and Samso Dauda thought it would be best to take a break from bodybuilding. So, he took a much-needed vacation with his wife.

However, Dauda didn’t announce when he would return to training or who he would train under for the upcoming Olympia. While fans speculated, the Nigerain Lion announced that he was starting over with a clean slate at O2. Many supported Samson Duada’s decision, while others didn’t. However, it seems that the bodybuilder has wasted no time in getting back to training.

Despite changing everything about his bodybuilding career, Samson Dauda impressed bodybuilding fans with his off-season. However, only time will tell if such a drastic change will have a positive effect on Mr. Olympia’s placement. What do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments.