After a gap stretching back to October 2019, Rumble in the Cage returns to action. Rumble in the Cage 63 takes place tomorrow evening in Lethbridge, Alberta, headlined by Tim Tamaki defending his featherweight championship against Josh Kwiatkowski. The undercard also showcases rising women's prospects Jackie MacLean and Shannon Clark.
Tim Tamaki (19-2-1) vs. Josh Kwiatkowski (5-6): PRO Featherweight Title Bout TAMAKI PREVIEW, KWIATKOWSKI PREVIEW
Both competitors are known for their grit, and neither is going to hold back. Between two of Canada's hardest-hitting fighters, I believe Kwiatkowski's higher activity level combined with his speed edge should prove decisive.
Prediction: Kwiatkowski wins via TKO.
Robert Protomanni (0-1) vs. Sandeep Sran (0-1): PRO 180 pounds
Sran faced a challenging professional debut against Ali Charkie, though he showed flashes of promise. Protomanni stepping in on short notice raises questions about conditioning, and I expect Sran to leverage his reach advantage to take control.
Prediction: Sran wins via TKO.
Jackie MacLean (3-1) vs. Shannon Clark (0-0): PRO Women's Flyweight MACLEAN PREVIEW, CLARK PREVIEW
This pairing might represent the strongest contest on the entire card. Despite Clark's professional debut, her amateur run of three straight victories looked dominant. Yet she now faces her sternest challenge to date in MacLean, who's begun her pro career with solid results. While Clark will undoubtedly compete fiercely, I see MacLean pulling away sooner rather than later.
Prediction: MacLean wins via decision.
Colton Boxell (1-3) vs. Mac Stroud (0-0): PRO Welterweight
Neither fighter wants to stay standing — both are looking to take this to the mat. That begs the question: who handles ground fighting better? Expect plenty of grappling exchanges, and this may ultimately hinge on whichever competitor secures a first lock on the neck or a limb.
Prediction: Boxell wins via submission.
Phil Bernarte (1-0) vs. Justin Fernandez (1-0): AMATEUR Flyweight
Both men come into this bout with perfect professional records and promising debuts. Bernarte's slightly more refined striking technique gives me a lean toward him, though this should be a tight affair.
Prediction: Bernarte wins via TKO.
This is where the card starts getting tricky to forecast. Both men step into this contest having trained under top-tier camps, meaning neither will be caught off guard. That said, I'm leaning toward Bernarte.
Prediction: Bernarte wins via decision.
Travis Erlam (1-0) vs. Cal Kostiniuk (1-0): AMATEUR Middleweight
If Kostiniuk doesn't bring a solid takedown defense—which remains unclear right now—Erlam should be able to take him down and hunt the submission.
Prediction: Erlam wins via submission.
Derek Clermont (0-0) vs. Kris Wiebe (0-0): AMATEUR Middleweight
With both fighters stepping into the octagon for the first time, this one essentially comes down to a coin toss. Clermont does carry the extra spark of competing in front of his home crowd, though.
Prediction: Clermont wins via TKO.
Ire Bassey (0-0) vs. Garret Ross (0-0): AMATEUR Light Heavyweight
Another pair of debutants facing off. I'd lean toward Ross, who's coming from a stronger, more established camp and also gets the advantage of fighting on home turf.
Prediction: Ross wins via TKO.
Trevor Fleming (0-0) vs. James Thiessen (0-0): AMATEUR Middleweight
A coin flip situation once more with two rookies, but it's tough to go against Champions Creed.
Prediction: Fleming wins via TKO.
Lucas Oanta (0-0) vs. Max Casimiri (0-0): AMATEUR Bantamweight
Another even matchup here. Both men hail from respectable gyms, so I'm backing the fighter competing in his own backyard.
Prediction: Casimiri wins via decision.
PJ Mitchell (0-0) vs. Ali Karout (0-0): AMATEUR Featherweight
More debutants square off, and again it's difficult to argue against Champions Creed in these situations.
Prediction: Mitchell wins via TKO.
Terell Jonasson (1-0) vs. Skye King (0-1): AMATEUR Heavyweight
Both men delivered exciting debuts in the amateurs, but Jonasson came across as the more complete and technically sound competitor.
Prediction: Jonasson wins via TKO.
Jabar Katavazi (0-0) vs. Adam Posener (0-0): AMATEUR Welterweight
One more coin toss bout, but I'm siding with Posener given his broader combat sports background.
Prediction: Posener wins via submission.
