The Next Great Champ, Episode 6: You Bring Me Closer to God

Previously on The Next Great Champ: Fred and Otis fought and Fred turned tail and fled. He made a video announcing that he was "retiring," but everyone accused him of quitting. Jimmy beat Otis in their bout. Tonight, someone will return to the house and, judging from their reactions in the previews, everyone will be surprised.

Interestingly, Fred's name isn't crossed out in the credits. Hmmm. Also, I wonder if Sylvester Stallone is mad that this show not only stepped on his toes but also stole "Eye of the Tiger" for its theme music.

We start where we left off. Surprise! Otis is back. That's just too easy. They should've made the eliminated fighters battle it out for the open spot. Somewhere, Paul Scianna, R.C. Reyes, and Lawrence Alonzo are cursing at their TVs. Actually, come to think of it, they're probably watching something else. Anyway, Otis enters the loft shouting about how you can't "change the Lord" and that everyone will "feel the hands of God." In an interview, he says that he's always believed in God, but that this experience has brought him "closer to God." I instinctively hum a few bars of Nine Inch Nails and then move on.

Competition time already? Everything moves fast this week, since there are two fights and not as much time for the other stuff. The remaining fighters who aren't in the Winner's Circle (Mohammad, Mike, and Otis) are blindfolded and led to a field. Tommy announces that this competition will test their listening skills. Each fighter will be tethered to the ground with bungee cords and, led by instructions from their confidants, have to grab medicine balls. The loser will fight twice, the first time for $10,000 and the second time for $25,000.

The competition is pretty unremarkable. I'm not sure the stuff they edited out was much more interesting than the stuff they left in. Mostly the fighters grope blindly for medicine balls, as you'd expect them to. Otis and Mohammad aren't bad, but Mike doesn't do such a great job. It's actually kind of amusing. He's just standing in a field with his arms out in front of him, like he's waiting for a medicine ball to bounce up into his arms. Mohammad wins, pocketing $10,000.

We're reminded that Mike and Otis will fight for survival and cash. The winner of their bout will fight Mohammad. Mike says that he feels cheated, since he hasn't gotten to fight yet. He probably also doesn't like the fact that he just lost $10,000.

Tommy and Lou ask the fighters if there are any conflicts in the loft. Mike claims that he's glad Otis is back, but he doesn't think it's fair. Tommy explains that Otis' fight with Mince was close enough and Otis could've won it. Well, okay, but you know what they say about being close. Gil interviews that Mike should worry about his fight, not Otis. When did Gil become the voice of reason? Otis interviews that he's ready. Tommy tells Mike that, right or wrong, he's there to fight.

After some commercials, Mike and his fiancée Glenda head up to the roof. Mike scoffs that Otis' skills are "mediocre." Maybe you should worry about your own skills. Mike likes to be the aggressor, but he doesn't always pace himself. Glenda advises him to be careful about how much energy he uses up, adding that everyone else has told her to tell him that.

Training montage! Otis says that he lives "wide open." He believes that everything is in God's hands. Mike says that he doesn't "get paid for overtime," so he wants the fight to be over quickly. Eye of the tiger! Mike and Otis sign something. I wonder if it's a contract stating that if one of them dies in the ring, their family can't sue. Though I'm sure they've already signed that. FOX doesn't mess around. (Did I really just type that?) They weigh in - Mike is at 168 (which Otis says is "all mouth"); Otis is at 172.

At the ring, Mike tells Oscar that it's show time. Otis paraphrases Proverbs 24:5-6 - "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisors." He's had some good advisors, so victory should be his. Mike wants his family to be proud of him. Oscar tells Otis that he believes in God as well and asks if Otis believes he's God's instrument. Otis confirms this. Did Oscar think he would say no? Otis thinks he's fulfilling his destiny. Tommy likes Mike's confidence. Lou tells Otis that Mike deserves an "old-fashioned, down-home, Alabama" beat-down. I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds entertaining. Otis' sister Schonette tells him to make Mike pay for what he took from Otis. What exactly would that be? Are they still upset about the money? Because Otis lost that to Mince, not Mike. Schonette confuses me.