The Beaten Path: 5 Non-UFC Prospects to Watch in December

2013 is ending in a big way. The month of December hosts a bevy of MMA events from the UFC to Invicta to World Series of Fighting. Every weekend, fans of the sport can find a number of fights to keep them occupied and provide them with never-ending entertainment.

While watching established stars like Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman fight is great, watching prospects battle their way up the ladder and pay their dues is just as exciting. That's what we at the Beaten Path do—to provide fans with an insight into the bright future that is MMA.

Here are five prospects you need to keep your eye on for the month of December. 

5. Max Nunes

sherdog.com

Division: Middleweight
Age: 24
Record: 11-1
Next Fight: Ion Pascu, Dec. 14, BAMMA 14
See it on: AXS TV

The UFC has great middleweight talent, but should be vigorously looking for more from around the world to fill its ranks.

Sweden's Max Nunes is a guy who could easily fit in the division. He is just 24 years old.

Nunes is moving down to middleweight to fight Ion Pascu at BAMMA 14, and it appears he will stay there permanently after traditionally fighting at 205 in his career. The drop to 185 may be in response to a loss in his last outing to Jason Jones, who outsized the Swedish powerhouse.

Nunes is well-rounded and has never seen the judges. Six of his wins have come via knockout, while the other five were by way of submission.

His exciting style has made him a fan favorite in the UK, where he trains. Plus, with wins over Iain Martell and Marcin Lazarz, the guy has some big wins on his resume to become a potential mainstay with the UFC.

All eyes should be focused on his impending showdown with the strong, dangerous and powerful Pascu. If Nunes can get past him, it shows that he could be a middleweight to really keep in the back of your mind. 

4. Jim Alers

sherdog.com

Division: Featherweight
Age: 27
Record: 11-1
Next Fight: Graham Turner, Dec. 31, Cage Warriors 63
See it on: MMAJunkie.com

Cage Warriors has themselves a diamond in the rough when it comes to jiu-jitsu fighter Jim Alers. The young American has only been in the game for about five years, but has looked impressive in every single fight he has been in.

The kid has good takedown chops and controlling jiu-jitsu from the top position. He has a tapout win over Freddy Assuncao (brother of Junior and Raphael), as well as a beautiful triangle armbar of Finnish prospect Joni Salovaara. 

At one point, he was linked to a fight with Ireland's Conor McGregor, but he made the move to the UFC. It was an interesting clash of styles that would have showcased two of the best 145-pound prospects out there.

Right now, he has the ultra-tough Graham Turner on his plate for New Year's Eve. A win over him would definitely be cause for him getting an offer from the UFC.

3. Joanne Calderwood

sherdog.com

Division: Women's Strawweight
Age: 26
Record: 7-0
Next Fight: Katja Kankaanpaa, Dec. 7, Invicta 7
See it on: Pay-per-view

Between the UFC's inclusion of female fighters, the all-female Invicta FC and the World Series of Fighting announcing it will introduce a female division, women's MMA is picking up steam.

One woman who can take credit for the explosion of interest is Joanne Calderwood, a Scottish striker with devastating power and a fun style. Not only is she powerful and exciting, but she is undefeated, young and constantly climbing up the ladder.

The 115-pound buzzsaw has violent Muay Thai skills that involve jaw-rattling punches, sharp elbows, bludgeoning kicks and killer knees. This was evident in her performances against Ashley Cummins, Livia von Plettenberg and Norma Rueda Center.

If you want further evidence of her violence, watch her bout against Sally Krumdiack. It's a reason why many women aren't lining up to scrap with the Scottish slayer. 

She has an established veteran in Katja Kankaanpaa next, who is similarly undefeated. A win could solidify a shot at the 115-pound title against the winner of Carla Esparza-Claudia Gadelha. 

2. Thomas De Almeida

sherdog.com

Division: Featherweight
Age: 22
Record: 14-0
Next Fight: George Pacurariu, Dec. 6, Legacy FC 26
See it on: AXS TV

Brazil has a seemingly never-ending supply of prospects in the sport of MMA, and Thomas de Almeida is no exception to that. The undefeated 22-year-old buzzsaw has future champion written all over him.

"Thominhas" is a throwback Chute Boxe member with lethal strikes and great aggression. Of his 14 wins, de Almeida has smoked 10 of his opponents via knockout.

He's not one-dimensional, either. He possesses four tapouts as well. All in all, the kid is a finisher and is constantly improving. 

He has a tough test in front of him come December 6 in the form of Geroge Pacurariu. He has similar power and throws with reckless abandon.

An impressive win for de Almeida would shoot his stock through the roof. 

1. Lance Palmer

sherdog.com

Division: Featherweight
Age: 25
Record: 7-0
Next Fight: Georgi Karakhanyan, Dec. 7, World Series of Fighting 7
See it on: NBC Sports

Lance Palmer is getting a huge opportunity come December 7 when he fights for the World Series of Fighting Featherweight Championship opposite established veteran Georgi Karakhanyan. 

Palmer was not originally supposed to fight for the belt, but an injury to Rick Glenn opened up the opportunity for the Team Alpha Male rep. He now has a chance to add another belt to his collection, which already includes the RFA strap.

Palmer is a power wrestler with a suffocating top game and strangling chokes. His game plan is simple in that he wants to aggressively push forward and pursue the takedown. He does so with great efficiency.

With wins over UFC vet Fredson Paixao and Bellator vet Jared Downing, Palmer has already shown the sky is the limit. He is constantly improving and could be a future featherweight contender if he jumps to the UFC.