Every month or so, it feels like a UFC card gets snakebitten and feels cursed. This Saturday's card has been put through that type of ringer. First off, it was scheduled for August 14th in London, only to get postponed and ultimately moved to the UFC Apex instead of London. Then, it lost its co-main event between former three-time UFC Light Heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson and Paul Craig, as well as another big Light Heavyweight matchup between Volkan Oezdemir and Magomed Ankaleev. Another key bout, between Matt Schnell and Alex Perez, was also moved. All in all, over ten fights scheduled for this card have been cancelled, postponed or altered. Fights were also removed on fight week, to the point that it's down to a nine-fight card.

Despite all that, this is still a solid card for an ESPN+ offering. The main event between ranked Middleweights Darren Till and Derek Brunson is important, even though it has a bigger chance of being a dud than living up to its potential. The rest of the main card is promising, while the prelims have some fun fights on them too. The best thing about this card is probably the time slot. Since the event was originally supposed to be in London and there are a lot of Europeans on the card, the event will take place at a time that is more friendly towards Europeans than usual. It also means that fans in the states will have open evenings, which is nice. Not bad for a September ESPN+ show.

Preliminary Card (1:30/12:30pm CT, ESPN+)

Dalcha Lungiambula (13-2) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (12-4, 1 NC)

Lungiambula is a former EFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight double champion who is 2-1 in the UFC. He has power, but has been lackluster in the UFC, aside from his third round against Dequan Townsend in his UFC debut. Barriault is also predominantly a striker and a former regional double champion, but has a meager 1-3 record with a no contest inside the octagon. I'll pick him to win, but it's a tossup. Prediction: Barriault via decison or late tko.

Julian Erosa (25-9) vs. Charles Jourdain (11-3-1)

Originally, this fight was supposed to be between Jourdain and Lerone Murphy. However, visa issues forced Murphy out of the card and Erosa stepped in on short notice. Erosa is in his third UFC stint and has done much better this time than in previous ones. A prime finisher who can finish fights both on the feet and on the ground, Erosa is 2-1 in his current UFC run. He got starched by Seung Woo Choi last time around, and Jourdain has the power to do the same. He's 2-2-1 in the UFC and is still young enough that his best days may be yet to come. He can't take Erosa lightly, or else he might get finished. As long as his head's in the game, I think Jourdain will prevail. Prediction: Jourdain via tko, round 2.

Liudvik Sholinian (9-1-1) vs. Jack Shore (14-0)

This fight was originally supposed to be between Shore and Said Nurmagomedov, but Nurmagomedov's visa issues led to him being removed from the card. His replacement also had to be replaced. Regardless, Shore is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who was a star and champion in Cage Warriors before joining the UFC. He is 3-0 inside the octagon, has finished 12 of his 14 wins and has never lost. Sholinian hasn't fought in nearly two years and most of his wins came against cans. Even though his fights usually go the distance, it will be an accomplishment if he can do that this time around. Prediction: Shore via submission, round 2.

Molly McCann (10-4) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (9-3-2)

McCann has gone the distance in each of her last five fights. Kim has gone the distance in seven of her last nine fights in the past six and a half years. She is 3-3 in the UFC and none of the people she's beaten in the promotion are still around. This fight has McCann via decision written all over it, unless she underperforms, which has happened in the past. Prediction: Kim via decision.

Main Card (4/3c, ESPN+)

Luigi Vendramini (9-2) vs. Paddy Pimblett (16-3)

Back in Cage Warriors, Paddy Pimblett was a polarizing figure who garnered a following and became a main eventer with the promotion. Now, he's making his UFC debut. Pimblett has finished 12 of his 16 wins, has slick grappling and has some wins over good regional opponents. He's got a ceiling, but he is young and could be a fun addition to the UFC's lightweight division. There's a chance that Vendramini can knock him out, but Vendramini is a can crusher who is 1-2 in the UFC, with his lone win coming against the since-released Jessin Ayari. Whether I want him to win or not, I think Pimblett will win. Prediction: Pimblett via submission, round 2.

Khalil Rountree (8-5, 1 NC) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (11-4)

Two Light Heavyweight strikers will face off next, as Khalil Rountree takes on Modestas Bukauskas. Rountree has an inspirational story, but is 1-3 in his last four years and gassed out badly against Marcin Prachnio in his last fight. He has the power to finish this fight, but I don't trust him at all. Even though Bukauskas has lost two straight, I still think this is his fight to lose. Prediction: Bukauskas via tko, round 2.

Alex Morono (19-7, 1 NC) vs. David Zawada (17-6)

Zawada has finished 15 of his 17 wins, 11 via knockout, but is just 1-3 in the UFC. Granted, two of those losses were split decisions, but I don't think he's better than Morono at anything but power. Morono has better grappling, a better gas tank and has a lot of UFC experience. He should take this. Prediction: Morono via decision.

(13) Tom Aspinall (10-2) vs. (14) Sergey Spivak (13-2)

The co-main of this card has been through all sort of changes, including with Aspinall's opponent. As a result, the new co-main will feature highlight machine Tom Aspinall and Sergey Spivak. Of Aspinall's 10 wins, nine have ended within 100 seconds. He has won six straight fights, is 3-0 in the UFC and just submitted Andrei Arlovski in February. Spivak is a finisher as well, and had a rough start to his UFC career, but has won three straight. Maybe he can muddy this fight up for Aspinall, but I expect Aspinall to keep his own winning streak intact. Prediction: Aspinall via tko, round 1.

(7) Darren Till (18-3-1) vs. (5) Derek Brunson (22-7)

In the main event, which is somehow still intact despite so many fights being cancelled, postponed or altered on this card, top ten Middleweights Derek Brunson and Darren Till will face off. This fight has a chance to be fun, but it could also be lackluster like a lot of Till's fights have been lately.

In all honesty, it makes no sense for Till to be ranked this high. Till is just 1-1 at Middleweight, his lone win was against the slumping Kelvin Gastelum via decision and his one clear win against anyone of note in the UFC came against Donald Cerrone four years ago. Cerrone has been on a nosedive of his own and is well past his prime. He is a good striker, but he can also be tepid and inactive during his fights. Brunson has tons of power and can finish fights quickly, has really good wrestling, and hasn't lost in nearly three years. His only loss against non-elite talent was his first ever loss back in early 2012. I think he will take the decision, even though I'd prefer a more entertaining result. Prediction: Brunson via decision.

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