The Beaten Path: The 3 Most Under-the-Radar Prospects in the UFC Right Now

Much of the MMA prospecting scene takes place outside UFC boundaries. After all, if you've made it to the big show, there's no longer any sport in finding you or touting your success. You've been found, and you've succeeded.

Fine. But this line of thought discounts the fact that there are, indeed, prospects under the UFC umbrella. There are young fighters coming up all the time, climbing the ladder of the UFC after climbing those of other companies to get to the UFC.

Some of these guys are well-known to hardcore fans and even some casual fans. But it's my hunch that these three fighters are not in that boat. Nevertheless, they have the tools to win fights, wow fans and become much bigger names in 2015.

Is this a list of every prospect in the UFC? No. Is it a list of the best prospects in the UFC? Not necessarily. These are simply three prospects few people are talking about.

Joseph Duffy

Have you ever heard of a guy named Conor McGregor? Great. Then our game of Six Degrees of Joseph Duffy is now complete. The 27-year-old Irishman recently joined the UFC and will make his debut this March against Jake Lindsey at UFC 185.

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More great Irish MMA news as @Duffyboxing gets his date for an much-anticipated UFC debut http://t.co/AYQPXTz0NW pic.twitter.com/UZwRTij3ox

— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) January 20, 2015"

Duffy (12-1) has also spent time as a professional boxer, which should tell you everything you need to know about his style. Well, maybe not everything, as he does have eight submission wins to his name.

One of the fighters who tapped to Duffy? McGregor. That was in 2010, and it was the superstar's last loss.

You'd have to think these two are on a collision course for a rematch. But Duffy's all-around game promises impressive showings regardless of his opponent.

James Vick

If you stopped following Vick's career after his semifinal loss on The Ultimate Fighter, you might want to start again. Since losing to eventual show champion Michael Chiesa in 2012, Vick (7-0) hasn't lost. He submitted Ramsey Nijem and then decisioned Valmir Lazaro and German judo standout Nick Hein.

Vick is an excellent athlete with the ability to finish anywhere or grind out points for the decision. At first glance, he sort of blends in with the rank-and-file background, especially at lightweight. But don't let that confuse you. When he steps in to face Jake Matthews in May, there could be a big step up at stake for the 27-year-old out of Temple Hills, Maryland.

Thomas Almeida

Of the three fighters listed here, the one on the fastest track to the top appears to be Almeida. And why not? The Brazilian 23-year-old ran up a record of 16-0 before entering the UFC and then handled veteran Tim Gorman in his Octagon debut in November. 

Now, the well-rounded bantamweight with killer knockout power will go up against someone sure to deliver fireworks: Mr. Yves Jabouin. If Almeida can get past Jabouin—or, better yet, finish off the Canadian headhunter—he might be appearing soon on a pay-per-view near you.

The Beaten Path is an ongoing series of articles and interviews highlighting MMA's top prospects. For more on prospects and all of MMA, follow Scott Harris on Twitter.