The Beaten Path: 5 Top MMA Prospects to Watch in August

Welcome to the dog days of summer. 

Everything slows down in August, and MMA is right there with it. Even the UFC, which is always shooting to break its own world record for number of events in a calendar year, is taking not one but two weekends off this month. 

But before you cock the straw hat too far down over the old brow there, take heed. Somewhere, somehow, the gears of MMA are always churning. Don't worry, though. We here at The Beaten Path, Bleacher Report's series on MMA prospects, are staying alert on your behalf.

We've found five up-and-coming fighters in action this month that you, the well-informed combat sports consumer, should have on your radar. We've even included viewing coordinates and video clips.

If you've been here before, you know the rules. No UFC fighters allowed. Bellator and WSOF are only allowed under extenuating circumstances. With that, here they are, ranked based on record, level of competition and estimated future potential.

So brush away the flies and pay attention, bro.

As always, record information provided by Sherdog.com.

5. Go Kashiwazaki

Division: Bantamweight
Age: 19
Record: 11-0-2
Next Fight: Tyrell Hogan, ZST 47, August 23
See It On: TBD

A couple of things jump out here with Mr. Go Kashiwazaki.

First, he is listed at 19 years old. Fine, but at the same time, his debut is listed as having happened in 2012. That means he was 16 when he made his pro debut. That's not something you want to see, at least if you are me.

Second, all but one of his fights have occurred in the ZST promotion. If you're not familiar, the Japan-based ZST loves to squiggle the line between sport and sideshow, holding tag-team matches, special-rules engagements and all sorts of other unusual stuff.

None of this occludes the fact that he is one talented little dude. He's lightning quick, especially in the scramble, and is very heavy in top control and the clinch. Once he gets the paws on you, it's hard to get him off. He's like a barnacle. That should be his nickname. It's not taken.

4. Alex Perez

Division: Flyweight
Age: 23
Record: 12-2 
Next Fight: Martin Sandoval, Tachi Palace Fights 24, August 6
See It On: Sherdog.com

His nickname is Alex "The Decision" Perez. Come on, now. That's not very nice.

It's not overly accurate, either. The reigning Tachi Palace Fights flyweight champ has just as many stoppage wins (six) as he does decision wins. Perhaps it refers to something else, like how you have to make some kind of tactical choice when you're fighting him. Sort of like "The Situation." 

Maybe that's possible. With three submissions and knockouts each, it's clear he's dangerous in both phases of the finish.

3. Soo Chul Kim

Division: Featherweight
Age: 23
Record: 11-5 
Next Fight: Marlon Sandro, Road FC 25, August 22
See It On: Road FC on YouTube

The Asian MMA scene is particularly robust this month, it would appear. And Soo Chul Kim is one of the hottest prospects in that part of the world.

You may remember Kim from his time as the bantamweight champion of ONE Championship. He was eventually dethroned, though it took a man by the name of Bibiano Fernandes to do it.

Since that loss, he has competed under the Road FC banner, and he's been making some pretty substantial hay in the process. And isn't hay what it's all about? He knocked out UFC cup-of-coffee-haver Wagner Campos in February (see video), then submitted Taiyo Nakahara in July.

Kim does have some losses, but most of them came in one span three years ago. Apparently, in the middle of 2013, something clicked, and he's gone 7-1 since, with only one of those wins going the distance.

Now he faces a respected veteran in Sandro. We'll see what Kim can do over a highly grizzled world traveler of the sport.

2. Derek Anderson

Division: Lightweight
Age: 25
Record: 12-1 
Next Fight: Brent Primus, Bellator 141, August 28
See It On: Spike.com

Something is afoot at Bellator 141.

In the main event, you have Melvin Guillard taking on Brandon Girtz. In the co-main event, Patricky "Pitbull" Freire tangles with Saad Awad.

Then, all the way down at the bottom of the prelim card, you've got a guy named Derek Anderson, who has beaten Girtz and Freire within the past two years.

Your guess is as good as mine. But there's no guessing game about Anderson's status as a solid lightweight prospect. The well-rounded Californian is polished and powerful. And if you don't believe me, take a look at this picture-perfect counter knee he landed on Girtz.

Anderson's only loss as a pro came by submission to Marcin Held. Hey, it happens. Held is pretty good. Anderson recovered with a TKO win in January. We'll see what he can do against Primus.

1. Isao Kobayashi

Division: Featherweight
Age: 26
Record: 17-2-4
Next Fight: Will Chope, Pancrase 269, August 9
See It On: UStream

Isao Kobayashi has been around since 2008, but his career hit a new gear recently when he vacated his Pancrase lightweight title to drop to featherweight.

Not to say there haven't been bumps in the road. An October win over Takeshi Inoue was followed by a loss to Kazunori Yokota. But the recovery—an April decision win over Sandro—was pretty eye-catching. He also has a win and a draw, respectively, over UFC alums Kazuki Tokudome and Jorge Patino. 

Now it's on to UFC castaway Will Chope. To date, Kobayashi hasn't generated the same heat as other Far East prospects like Kyoji Horiguchi or Doo Ho Choi, but that may change if he can get in front of people.

That's because Kobayashi is some kind of fun to watch. He's got this nutty style where he just explodes on people out of the blue. It's strange, but awesome. And most importantly, it's doggone effective, at least when no one's trying to take him down.

The Beaten Path is Bleacher Report's ongoing series on MMA prospects. Scott Harris covers MMA for Bleacher Report. For more prospect ruminating and other MMA stuff, follow Scott on Twitter.