The Beaten Path: 5 MMA Prospects to Watch in April

Whether the UFC is running shows or taking the weekend off, the MMA world is constantly turning. Prospects are gaining experience and looking to make a name for themselves, with their ultimate goal of making the major leagues.

Our job at the Beaten Path is to keep an eye on these top fighters and point you in their direction. These are fighters who one day will grace top promotions and potentially be title contenders.

April is full of MMA prospects, but who are the ones to watch out for? Here are the five prospects you should keep tabs on in April.

5. Ericka Almeida

Division: Strawweight
Age: 26
Record: 6-0
Next fight: April 11, Jungle Fights 76 vs. Jennifer Gonzales
See it on: TBD

At this point, we have realized that the deepest, most competitive division in women's MMA is the strawweight division. There are all sorts of talent, but one lady who flies under the radar with all the talent to hang with top fighters is Ericka Almeida.

The Brazilian has spent her entire career in her home country, taking on some of the better journeywomen. She has a perfect 6-0 record but has only competed once since 2013.

She is savvy on the mat, winning via submission in five of her six bouts. She's also left the first round just once, which shows she is a dangerous adversary.

She meets Chilean fighter Jennifer Gonzales at Jungle Fights 76 this month for the Jungle Fights Strawweight Championship. Jungle Fights has a rich tradition of sending champions to the UFC, so a win for Almeida could push her through the door.

4. Ion Cutelaba

Division: Heavyweight
Age: 21
Record: 9-1
Next fight: April 4, WWFC: Cage Encounter 3 vs. Malik Merad
See it on: TBD

The heavyweight division of the UFC is thin on talent and old on age and has dwindling amounts of fresh matchups. That's what makes Moldovan youngster Ion Cutelaba all the more intriguing.

Cutelaba, who is just 21, has already performed 10 times as a pro, falling just once. It wasn't a fight he should have lost, as he was disqualified for some errant punches to the back of the head.

Cutelaba is a headhunter who looks for the knockout early and often. He is heavy-handed and has a killer instinct, something that would be a great addition to the UFC heavyweight division.

He has plenty of time to get a call from the big leagues and will bide his time fighting Bellator and Cage Warriors vet Malik Merad this month. Another finish and impressive outing could earn Cutelaba a spot in the big time, especially since he's left the first round just once.

3. Ben Fodor

Division: Welterweight
Age: 26
Record: 6-0-1
Next fight: April 10, World Series of Fighting 20 vs. Manny Walo
See it on: NBC Sports

You've heard of him, and now you will see him. Yes, folks—Ben Fodor, aka Phoenix Jones, is ready to debut for World Series of Fighting this month.

You probably know him as the Seattle-based crime-fighter who was featured on ESPN. He has become a cult hero, one that fans now want to tune into and see.

It's not like he's untalented, either. Fodor is undefeated with one draw and has shown well-rounded skills in his six victories.

Fodor takes on an East Coast fight vet Manny Walo, who should serve as a strong first test for Phoenix Jones. If he can pass that test, he will show he is more than just a sideshow act.

2. Jonas Bilharinho

Division: Featherweight/Bantamweight
Age: 24
Record: 5-0-1
Next fight: April 11, Jungle Fights 76 vs. Fabiano Nogueira
See it on: TBD

How Jonas Bilharinho didn't make it onto The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, I don't know. However, the Jungle Fights bantamweight champion now goes for the featherweight gold, which would make him a two-division champion that you can't miss.

The 24-year-old is one of the best prospects Brazil has in any weight class. He is well-rounded, quick and athletic, which gives him an edge against any man he stands across from.

Jungle Fights has a knack for sending guys to the UFC, so a win over Fabiano Nogueira for his second title would be massive. You could see "Speed" in the Octagon sooner rather than later.

1. Khalil Rountree

Division: Middleweight
Age: 25
Record: 2-0
Next fight: April 10, RFA 25: Lawrence vs. Toomer, vs. Cameron Olson
See it on: AXS TV

Anderson Silva called him the next big thing. That could be because of a supposed story where this next man knocked out Silva in the lead-up to his fight with Nick Diaz.

That man was Khalil Rountree.

Rountree is a beast of a fighter, hosting powerful, technical striking and the undefeated record as an amateur and pro to match. He's a destroyer who throws heat, whether it's with his hands, feet or knees.

He's an RFA roster member too, which will likely help him get to the UFC roster when it's ready to have him. For now, Cameron Olson is his opponent this month, and Rountree will look to continue adding to his amazing highlight reel.