Only a couple days earlier than Christmas 2025, former Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda and Hosstile Supps introduced they had been parting methods after a five-year relationship. The break appeared amicable with Dauda, Hosstile, and Hosstile Supps proprietor Fouad Abiad all exchanging pleasantries. The break with Dauda, not less than on the floor, appeared very very similar to the break with 2x EVLS Prague Professional champ and High 5 Olympian Martin “The Martian” Fitzwater. The distinction there, nevertheless, is that Abiad has at all times been a vocal supporter of Samson’s. Though Fouad would argue he was at all times supportive of The Martian, I’d disagree. The break with Dauda is totally different. I can’t even evaluate it to the break with Sam Sulek and even Nick Walker. Of all of the athletes to ever go away the HS model, I might have guess that Samson would have gone down with the ship.
Initially, I used to be even anticipating this to have been some sort of a poorly timed publicity stunt. We’ve seen this occur through the years, however to what finish? And why simply two days earlier than Christmas? The timing of the entire thing suggests to me that the break was just about unilateral, and I’ll communicate extra on this level all through the article. That stated, as could possibly be anticipated, most followers and media shops took to the socials to tow the proverbial line. Nearly nobody questioned the good-natured theme of the break, however you know the way The Iron Duque will get down. I’m not talking with any diploma of certainty. I don’t have any inside info or confidential sources, however I’ve been doing this for twenty years and issues simply don’t add up.
For starters, we are able to take a look at the Fitzwater instance and see some obvious variations. In that scenario, Martin had been trying on the door for some time. He didn’t obtain a lot assist from the model. Whereas Fouad’s handicapping included Martin within the Olympia High 5, he was constantly underestimating him within the placings. Possibly that’s him saving face as an influencer in his personal proper, however you possibly can’t faux assist. I additionally discover it fascinating that Fouad did a little bit of Indian giving, taking credit score for giving Martin a deal when nobody knew who he was and placing him on the map. That’s really not totally true. Martin was very a lot on the ascent whereas he was working with Ryse. He had additionally received the Detroit Professional and was getting extra consideration on his socials. Fitzwater has at all times been very engaged with the assorted platforms and is taken into account an energetic influencer by his rising fanbase. In some ways, Martin is the perfect candidate for a complement firm to promote merchandise. I consider Hosstile noticed a chance and earned handsomely for it. That stated, the HS narrative makes them look way more favorable and trendsetting than the truth of the matter. Nonetheless, the minute that the break between Fitzwater and Hosstile was introduced, Martin introduced a serious signing to RAW/BUM Vitality. 5 days after Samson and Hosstile broke, the previous Mr. Olympia nonetheless has Hosstile on his varied social media pages and no announcement(s) have been made with regard to a future complement sponsor.
Daily that passes from the second the break was introduced the place Dauda makes no formal announcement makes me surprise that this was not a mutual determination. As I acknowledged at @STRENGTHADDICTS on Instagram, the longer Samson waits to signal to a brand new firm the extra persons are going to speak. If this had been a mutual determination, why announce the break two days earlier than Christmas and barely greater than every week earlier than the tip of the yr? Curiously, I haven’t seen any giant corporations (or medium or small ones for that matter) announce any main signings to return. It’s as if the trade is dormant and that’s the conventional state of affairs for this time of yr. It’s at all times doable that this was mutual and Dauda didn’t plan forward. In spite of everything, that is a person who hasn’t had a major-name coach in years and now possibly will transfer ahead with no complement sponsor, both. He does produce other backers, so he must be okay, proper?
Sure and no.
It’s one factor to be a prime bodybuilder with no coach, however it’s fairly one other to be a prime bodybuilder with no complement sponsor. You possibly can have a clothes sponsor, work with a meal prep firm, and/or have backers within the TRT, hair elimination, tanning, or equipment segments, however there’s one thing about having a complement sponsor. Loads of it has to do with notion. If a prime athlete lacks a complement sponsor, it doesn’t look proper. A giant a part of being profitable in an trade obsessive about bells and whistles is on the lookout for the half. Proper now, Samson doesn’t take a look at the half.
If there have been a bodybuilder who wanted an agent – it could be Samson Dauda. As a former Mr. Olympia and former Arnold Basic champion, he stays very marketable, however he must get his head out of the clouds. Proper now, it could appear to be he doesn’t know if he’s on foot or horseback. And whereas most bodybuilding shops are too busy kissing ass and steering away from incomes Abiad’s wrath, I’m merely declaring realities that others will seize upon sooner or later. As soon as the mud settles and the smoke clears, commentators shall be extra emboldened to start out asking the questions they’re avoiding immediately. As we’re close to the 2026 Arnold Basic and the start of the 2026 contest season, I hope that Samson hyperlinks up with an organization that believes in him. I hope he will get a coach who can information him again to successful massive exhibits.
I additionally hope that the break between Dauda/Abiad/Hosstile received’t result in any sort of future drama, however I wouldn’t be shocked if it did. I wouldn’t be shocked the least-bit shocked, in truth. Why? As a result of I’ve been doing this for twenty years. And since – as I acknowledged @STRENGTHADDICTS on Instagram – Samson could also be holding his tongue – for now – as a result of he could also be owed cash. Whether or not that’s again pay, reimbursements for journey, lodging, and/or meals, and/or any profit-sharing income he could have had along with his former sponsor. If he spilled the tea now, he would possibly sabotage himself. Cash is a hell of a motivator to maintain your mouth shut and pressure a plausible smile.
Might it have been an amicable break? Probably. I’d say 60/40. My 60% hunch is that there’s much more to the story than what we’ve been supplied with. My 40% hunch is that possibly it’s amicable. That’s not a nasty break up. I’m not completely against the thought, however it simply doesn’t make sense to me. It’s simply too bizarre.
As at all times, I like to depart the ultimate phrase to you, the loyal readers of IronMag. I hope you loved studying my article. I stay up for studying your suggestions within the feedback. As at all times, please copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. It’s going to absolutely generate vigorous dialog.
Creator Bio:
Christian I. Duque is the proprietor StrengthAddicts.com, a physique and energy web site based in 2008. He has labored for quite a lot of bodybuilding web sites, together with RX Muscle and Muscular Growth. Christian has written practically 1,000 printed articles for Iron Journal, in addition to articles for StrengthAddicts, RX Muscle, and others. By day, he’s additionally a licensed legal professional training within the areas of household legislation, immigration, and felony protection.
