Another really good episode, this episode, Tommy the trainer took the winning team to purchase suits. A great reward is something that you can always use and appreciate but would never buy on your own. This reward fit that to the letter. Most of these guys had never owned a suit; they all greatly appreciated the opportunity to get one now. Now, everytime they go to a formal funciton they will be reminded of their time as the contender. I think most reality shows leave the contestants bitter, but I doubt any of these guys will feel bitter about their time on Contender.
Ishme had a heart-to-heart with his wife then his teammates. He apologized for not taking on Akhmed and said if they won he would choose to fight him.
The challenge was a game of Dodgeball. I couldn’t think of a better challange for this show. East team once again started out strong quickly getting ahead, but West team’s Joey caught on to the game and pretty much single-handedly took everyone else out. At one point, Joey tells Ishme to stay back and save his energy for the fight. Akhmed was the last one left on East team. The three left from West teamed up on him, and he did a good job of lasting. He did go down in the end, and West coast got to choose the fighting order.
The West team didn’t have to deliberate for long because they had previously decided that Ishme would fight. They all return to the training center and tell Sly that Ishme would fight. Team East arrives, and Ishme surprises everyone by not asking Akhmed to step up to the line. Ishme whispers to the guy he asked to step up that he just wanted him to pray for him (I’m not sure the guy’s name, but I think Ishme and him were friends). He then tells him to go back and says he will be fighting Akhmed.
They go through the regular pre-fight motions, but the producers elected not to show the press conference/weight-in. They get in the ring; there’s a lot of energy before the start of this fight. Round One starts. -ZAP- My power goes out, and I begin to freak out. My power never goes out (except during Hurricane Ivan). I wait furiously. The power returned and they were at the end of Round Three. Round Four looked extremely close. One thing though, during one of the moments when the referee was pulling them apart, Akhmed took a cheap shot at Ishme. Akhmed’s general sportmanship seemed to be lacking. In Round Five, Ishme goes at it and really pounds on Akhmed. I don’t think Akhmed could last a full 12 rounds. Before the decision is announced, I have no idea who won this one. I missed half of the fight. The decision is unanimous, Ishme wins.
In the post-fight wrap up, Stallone reveals that he favored Akhmed. He says he wants an underdog and Ishme was ranked 6th in the world. Next episode, someone unexpectedly has to leave, and one of the contenders eliminated gets a second chance.