The Beaten Path: 5 MMA Prospects to Watch in August

If just watching the UFC wasn't enough, now this scouting for the next big thing is essential and more than enough to quench your MMA thirst.

The UFC is always looking for new stars to promote. That's what The Ultimate Fighter is for. However, sometimes there are better prospects out there the UFC needs to keep its eye on for the future.

As is the tradition with The Beaten Path, we continue to look at five prospects to keep your eye on this month. I, Riley Kontek, join fellow knowledgeable associate Scott Harris in the never-ending look for prospects in this crazy sport known as mixed martial arts.

Sean Strickland

Division: Middleweight
Age: 21
Record: 12-0  
Next Fight: Daniel Hernandez, King of the Cage: Split Decision (for middleweight title)
See It: August 29, see website for details of broadcast

The man known as "Tarzan" is barely old enough to drink, but he is a veteran of 12 professional fights. Even more impressive, Sean Strickland has won all 12 of those fights.

Right now, Strickland is the pride and joy of King of the Cage, as he has held the middleweight title for some time now. In 2013 alone, Tarzan has won two fights over the likes of Bill Albrecht and Yusuke Sakashita.

He is a well-rounded fighter, but his most impressive skill is his uncanny power. He doesn't just rock guys when he hits them; he knocks them clean out.

At 21 and with that kind of power, this kid will be a title contender in the big show one day.

Russell Doane

Division: Bantamweight
Age: n/a
Record: 9-1
Next Fight: Kyle Aguon, Pacific Xtreme Combat 38
See It: August 9, see website for details of broadcast

Hawaii has become a hotbed for MMA prospects, and bantamweight Russell Doane may be the most impressive. 

Doane is a well-rounded fighter who has been defeated just once. He owns a TKO stoppage over Tyson Nam, a tapout of Bryson Hansen and a decision over Frank Baca. That is a pretty impressive resume, especially considering he has fought just 10 times in his pro career.

If there is one knock on Doane, it's his submission defense, as his two amateur losses and his pro loss to Michinori Tanaka all came via tapout. He is at a point in his career where he can improve while continuing to incorporate the game plans that have been successful so far.

With the expansion of the UFC bantamweight division, Doane may be close. He first must get through Kyle Aguon in Asia for the Pacific Xtreme Combat promotion, where he is accustomed to fighting.

Alex Garcia

Division: Welterweight
Age: 26
Record: 9-1 
Next Fight: Eric Heatherly, Challenge MMA 2: Think Big
See It: August 17, see website for details of broadcast

Enter "The Dominican Nightmare," a heavily talented Dominican-Canadian fighter who is versatile, tough and talented. Forget "Enter Sandman" by Metallica; I want a song called "Enter Dominican Nightmare." That's how scary Garcia is in the cage.

He is still in his mid-20s and is still building momentum. His only loss came at the hands of current UFC employee Seth Baczynski, who is a tough out for most fighters. That being said, he has shown maturity in his game, as evidenced in his win over Ryan Dickson.

He returns to Challenge MMA this month when he challenges Eric Heatherly. A win would be beneficial, especially if he plans on trying out for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Australia vs. Canada.

Pedro Munhoz

Division: Bantamweight
Age: 26
Record: 8-0  
Next Fight: Jeff Curran, Resurrection Fighting Alliance 9: Munhoz vs. Curran (for bantamweight title)
See It: August 16, AXS TV

Pedro Munhoz is known as "The Young Punisher." That, in addition to the fact that he is fighting for the RFA title in August, is enough to earn Munhoz some spotlight in our humble MMA prospects series.

Munhoz is a Brazilian submission specialist who has yet to taste defeat. He has really stepped out of the shadows with his recent bouts in RFA, defeating Bill Kamery and Mitch Jackson upon arrival.

He has a tight guillotine choke, though he is not limited to one move. If he continues to work on his takedowns, he'll be a threat in the cage to most men he squares off with.

His biggest test to date is up next. He will fight UFC veteran and longtime fighter Jeff Curran for the RFA bantamweight strap.

Marlon Moraes

Division: Bantamweight
Age: 25
Record: 10-4-1
Next Fight: Brandon Hempleman, World Series of Fighting 4
See It: August 10, NBC Sports

Marlon Moraes has the benefit of cable TV, World Series of Fighting promotion and a huge victory over several notable opponents. He is likely the most known prospect in this slideshow.

Moraes is a lethal striker. If you don't believe me, ask Tyson Nam, who is still looking for his head somewhere in the arena it got kicked off in.

Further, Moraes edged out Miguel Torres, an experienced and traveled veteran who was once considered the best at 135.

His ground game should be his main training focus moving forward, as that has proven to be the chink in his armor. Luckily, his striking is so good that it deters many opponents from getting on the inside of a potential knockout blow.