Gladiator caught in oil-smeared net -- no chance for comeback (9)

I believe the answer is:

contender

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gladiator' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'caught in oil-smeared net no chance for comeback' is the wordplay.
'CONTENDER' is hidden back-to-front in amongst the letters.
But, I am unsure how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for contender that I've seen before include "No red cent (anag.)" , "One striving" , "Struggler in rivalry" , "One who strives" , "One seeking title" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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