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

Happy new year. It's a time of new beginnings. Even as we turn over the calendar, do you know what else we turn over? New leaves. 

That's right. Here in January, it's all about the newness. New goals, new challenges, new priorities. And, as probably goes without saying, new MMA fighters.

This time of year, there's a hunger for that. Talking about MMA prospects is one of January's biggest locks. Right up there with a huge spike in gym membership sales. Water to a well, bro. I'm telling you.

We here at The Beaten Path, we understand the demand. We're the series here at Bleacher Report that regularly finds, profiles and ranks all the best up-and-comers in MMA. 

If you were here last month or before, you know the rules. No UFC fighters are allowed, and Bellator and WSOF fighters are included only sparingly. 

They are listed in no particular order, and I made the list based on skills, record and potential. As always, record and event information is courtesy of Sherdog.

Livia Renata Souza

Division: Women's strawweight
Age: 24
Record: 8-0 
Next Fight: Deanna Bennett, Invicta FC 15, January 16 
See It On: UFC Fight Pass (subscription required)

Livia Renata Souza turned a lot of heads when she tapped Katja Kankaanpaa at Invicta FC 12. The underdog was the aggressor throughout and finally locked on a triangle choke to snag the strawweight belt in the all-women's promotion. It was her seventh submission win in eight pro contests. 

Despite the gold around her waist, Souza is still very young and largely unknown. Bennett also is a perfect 8-0 and also coming off a win over Kankaanpaa. If Souza's for real, she'll prove it on the 16th.

Shamil Gamzatov

Division: Light heavyweight
Age: 25
Record: 9-0 
Next Fight: Teddy Holder, WSOF 27, January 23
See It On: NBC Sports Network

Shamil Gamzatov makes his U.S. and WSOF debut at this event, and it is not a friendly matchup for the Russian.

Holder won't host any technique seminars anytime soon, but he can punch through the engine block of a '64 Chevy. Do those have big engine blocks? I'm sure they do.

That's an issue for Gamzatov, a nasty grappler, but an unpolished striker. He could finish the night as a bona fide blue-chipper in the needy light heavyweight division, or he could finish the night looking up at the rafters. 

Rasul Mirzaev

Division: Featherweight
Age: 29
Record: 14-0 
Next Fight: Wan Sai, Bullet FC, January 16
See It On: Who knows?

This show happens in China, so viewing potential is indeterminate, but hard-core fans should keep an ear out for this result.

Rasul Mirzaev may have one of the most checkered histories among active Russian fighters, and that's saying something. Despite his terrific record, which includes only three decisions, he is persona non grata in the sport's larger shows.

That's because Mirzaev was convicted of manslaughter for his role in a fight outside a Moscow club in 2012. Ivan Agafonov took a punch from Mirzaev and fell to the pavement; he died a few days later. It was later concluded that the victim's collision with the pavement was the main cause of death, but Mirzaev was still convicted.

Ever since his release in 2013, Mirzaev has been fighting on minor shows around Russia and Asia in an attempt to resurrect his career. It will be interesting to follow his career as it continues and determine whether any larger promotion will try to sign him. If Mirzaev wants that, he better keep winning, that's for sure.

Muin Gafurov

Division: Bantamweight
Age: 19
Record: 9-0
Next Fight: Toni Tauru, ONE Championship, January 23
See It On: ONE Championship Live Stream (purchase required)

What I'd like you to do right now is give it up. Give it up for the fighting pride of Tajikistan.

You're looking at him right here. Muin Gafurov is the first Tajik fighter to join a major MMA promotion. The teenager is largely unproven at this level, and by "largely" I mean "entirely."

Still, he seems to have a solid skill set, and his record is certainly impressive for someone of his tender age—even though the fact that he debuted in November 2013 apparently means he debuted as a pro at age 17, which could make one feel a mite icky if one were inclined to worry about things like brain trauma and stuff.

The real bad news for Gafurov on January 23 is his opponent. And just who is that opponent?

Toni Tauru

Division: Bantamweight
Age: 31
Record: 10-2-1
Next Fight: Muin Gafurov, ONE Championship, January 23
See It On: ONE Championship Live Stream (purchase required)

It's this guy.

At 31 years old, he's a little long in the tooth for a prospect, but we'll go ahead and give it to him. He's also coming off a loss (his first since 2011), but since that came to one of the very best bantamweights in the world in Bibiano Fernandes, we can look the other way on that as well.

Tauru is an outstanding grappler with underrated standup. You may remember him from his championship days in Britain's respected Cage Warriors organization.

Things have slowed down for Tauru since Cage Warriors went on hiatus: This is only his second fight since 2014. He'll try to make up for lost time against Gafurov, but it won't be a cupcake.

Scott Harris writes about MMA prospects for Bleacher Report. For more stuff like this, follow Scott on Twitter.