KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story Courtesy of WVLT) – World champion eater Joey Chestnut won his third-straight title in the 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown at Dead End BBQ in Knoxville on Saturday.
Chestnut, the No. 1-ranked competitive eater in the world and regular winner of Nathan’s Famous July 4 hot dog eating contest, came to Knoxville in 2024 for the inaugural contest and put away 14 pounds of the Elm Hill bologna to win.
He then returned in 2025 and set a new record, eating 15.75 pounds of bologna to beat out Nick Wehry and James Webb for the victory.
On Saturday, Chestnut ate 16 pounds of bologna, defeating Webb and Wehry once again to win the competition. Webb and Wehry ate 12.75 and 10 pounds of bologna, respectively.
