Joey Chestnut, the world-renowned aggressive eater, is making his grand return to the Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July Sizzling Canine Consuming Contest.

After settling a dispute with Nathan’s Well-known, Joey Chestnut is again on the Coney Island stage, able to reclaim his title and proceed his dominance on the planet of aggressive consuming.

Nathan’s, recognized for its all-beef scorching canine, noticed the deal as a direct menace to their product and seen it as a violation of their contract with Chestnut. This led to Nathan’s pulling their long-running relationship with the aggressive consuming champion simply weeks earlier than the annual occasion.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July Sizzling Canine Consuming Contest,” Chestnut stated in an announcement. “This occasion means the world to me. It’s a cherished custom, a celebration of American tradition, and an enormous a part of my life.”

Whereas Chestnut has maintained partnerships with corporations within the plant-based meals house, he made it clear that his loyalty to Nathan’s stays unwavering.

“To be clear: Nathan’s is the one scorching canine firm I’ve ever labored with,” he defined. “I respect that there have been variations in interpretation, however I’m grateful we’ve been capable of finding frequent floor.”

This new “frequent floor” got here within the type of a recent three-year endorsement take care of Nathan’s Well-known and the Worldwide Federation of Aggressive Consuming (IFOCE), the group behind the occasion. Joey Chestnut confirmed to USA TODAY Sports activities that he’s nonetheless collaborating with Not possible Meals, however his allegiance to Nathan’s has been solidified.

Efficiency projections from The Motion Community present that Joey Chestnut has a powerful likelihood of victory on this yr’s contest, with odds of 1/20 (or -2000 in American odds).

Even with robust challengers like reigning champion Patrick Bertoletti (+1600), seasoned eater Geoffrey Esper (+2200), and worldwide contender James Webb (+2500), Chestnut stays the overwhelming favourite.

Joey Chestnut’s return has sparked intense pleasure within the aggressive consuming world, and followers are wanting to see him again in motion.

“It doesn’t matter what, I’ll be consuming scorching canine on July 4th someplace,” Chestnut informed The Motion Community in a current interview. “I really like competitors. I really like pushing myself, and I really feel like I’ve already began coaching to eat scorching canine. My physique’s working rather well.”

“Each meals’s somewhat totally different, however I at all times attempt to discover the suitable rhythm early,” he stated. “In aggressive consuming, you’re pushing your complete core to the max.”

He added, “You’ve received to be in tune along with your physique and be capable to breathe proper, keep clear, and carry out, particularly when individuals present as much as see you win.”