The Beaten Path: 5 MMA Prospects to Watch in December

With the world starting to wind down for the various end-of-year holidays, there is not a ton of MMA prospecting to be had here in December.

But "not a ton" does not mean "none." Ponder that. And in that spirit, we note that there are "some" fights on the docket for the final page on the Gregorian calendar. Furthermore, we here at The Beaten Path—Bleacher Report's awesome-if-I-so-say-so-myself series highlighting the top prospects in MMA—have once again ferreted out the up-and-coming fighters with whom savvy fight fans should familiarize themselves.

And in so doing, we are making this a December, truly, to really remember. Fighters are listed in no particular order, and no UFC fighters are eligible. Here we go.

Jon Neal

Division: Lightweight
Age: 26
Record: 6-0
Next fight: Dec. 12, SFFN 30, vs. Troy Dennison
See it on: KMYU (if you live in Utah)

Has Jon Neal fought the sturdiest of competition or been the most prolific of fighters? No, he has not. But he just might be the hottest prospect in the surprisingly fertile MMA state of Utah.

His biggest problems have been injuries, which have kept his productivity low (something he's intent on changing, for the record). When he does make it to the fight, he's a big lightweight with big skills. He has ended all but his first pro fight inside the first round: two with a guillotine choke, one with an armbar and two with punches. 

Ben Brewer

Division: Welterweight
Age: 21
Record: 10-2
Next fight: Dec. 19, Titan FC 32 vs. Romario Manoel da Silva
See it on: CBS Sports Network

You're not going to find Ben Brewer down by the hammock, sipping on something with raspberries in it. When he steps in for Titan FC 32, it will be his seventh fight and sixth promotion of 2014.

In the biggest fight of the year and probably his career, Brewer flattened fellow Tennessean Andy Uhrich in April at Bellator 120. But it's his rugged submission game that really earns him his keep. 

Anatoly Tokov

Division: Middleweight/welterweight
Age: 24
Record: 17-1
Next fight: Dec. 17, M-1 Challenge 54, vs. Enoc Solves Torres
See it on: M1Global.tv

Anatoly Tokov has one-punch knockout power. Just ask Vadim Feger about that.

Full disclosure: You're probably not going to find Feger anywhere, at least not anywhere near an MMA event, at least not anymore (pssst, he's not successful). But Tokov still knocked him out, and it was just one of nine KOs he's notched as a pro.

And yet, he's not what you'd call a knockout artist. He's more of a grinder who happens to have knockout ability, if that makes sense. He could stand another coat of polish, but the chiseled Russian has more than enough tools to get to the top of M-1, and from there, who knows? 

Stephan Puetz

Division: Light heavyweight
Age: 27
Record: 11-1
Next fight: Dec. 17, M-1 Challenge 54, vs. Valery Myasnikov
See it on: M1Global.tv

If you can see past the mega-wattage that is Cody McKenzie, you'll see that this event's actual headliner features two solid light heavyweights, which is sort of like seeing two blue whales migrating or, buh, something else that is rare to witness.

The once-beaten Puetz will put his M-1 Challenge title on the line against Myasnikov. The 23-year-old Russian challenger can easily be considered a prospect in his own right, but you know the adage about being the man. You have to win against the man first, and Puetz is right now the man.

Earlier this year, the 6'6" German took out another Russian stud in Viktor Nemkov (see video). With a well-rounded game and legitimate knockout power, Puetz is the favorite to do it again on the Dec. 17.

Sheymon Moraes

Division: Bantamweight
Age: 24
Record: 6-0
Next fight: Dec. 13, WSOF 16, vs. Gabriel Solorio
See it on: NBC Sports

Do yourself a favor, person who enjoys professional fighting: Watch this young man fight.

Sheymon Moraes is a stone-cold reaver of souls. He comes in there with the muay thai striking and proceeds to whoop tail. Everything just thuds, from the clinch and in space. It's hard to believe the guy is just 24.

The Rio de Janeiro native trains with Team Nogueira, so you have to think his grappling is not terribly deficient. He hasn't had to use it much in live situations, so it's hard to know for sure. Moraes was originally set to face Canadian power-grinder Josh Hill in this fight; that could have been a tough test for Moraes. But Hill was, for reasons that have not been explained, pulled for Solorio, and that switch will be the fans' gain, as Solorio isn't afraid to throw a few or take a few.

Everything is lining up for a triumphant WSOF debut for Moraes. And I'm telling you it's not something you want to miss. I don't make many demands on my readers, but I'm making this one. Don't do it for me, reader. Do it for you.

Scott Harris covers MMA for Bleacher Report. The Beaten Path is a regular series highlighting top prospects in the sport. For more stuff like this, follow Scott Harris on Twitter.