There is something different to be found when watching touted prospects compete inside the chaos of a mixed martial arts cage. 

There are some who are simply meant for larger achievements, and their performances reflect that motivation. Meanwhile, others who possess developed traits struggle against more experienced competition.The ones who pass the test move on to face tougher obstacles, and those who struggle discover there is much more work to be done.

Let's take a look at some top-ranked prospects who stepped into the cage last weekend.

Manny Bermudez

Bantamweight / 10-0 Professional / 23 years old

One would be hard-pressed to find a more touted prospect on the Northeast regional scene than Manny Bermudez.

The scrappy bantamweight wrecking machine has built a perfect resume all the while showcasing the type of versatility that evokes scenes of big stage glory playing out in his future. Ask the fighter himself and Bermudez will be the first one to tell you he's ready to face the toughest competition in the world. But before the undefeated prospect would be allowed to make that move, he needed to defeat a fighter with significantly more experience.

Enter Bendy Casimir.

The former WEC fighter and veteran of 30-plus bouts certainly had the credentials where cage time and toughness of past opponents were concerned. While unsuccessful in his attempts, Casimir still stepped into the cage and squared off with notable name Erik Koch and former UFC featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas when all three competed inside the little blue cage of the WEC. 

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Casimir had the miles under his tires, and Bermudez needed to prove he could still go in and do his thing against an opponent with plenty of savvy in his toolbox. And if the main event tilt at Cage Titans 35 this past weekend was supposed to be a test of both literal and figurative sense, FloCombat's No. 5-ranked bantamweight prospect passed and graduated with honors on Saturday night in Plymouth, MA.

As soon as the opening bell sounded Bermudez went to work and wasted no time putting Casimir on the canvas. Shortly after hitting the deck, Bermudez worked his way into position to lock on a fight-ending triangle choke. And there is typically no explanation necessary when it comes to that particular choke, but Bermudez leaving Casimir sleeping cold on the canvas made for a violent impression.

He's ready for the big leagues. He's ready to do some damage.

FloCombat Grade: A+

Stone Beverly

Lightweight / 4-1 / 18 years old

With a name like Stone "Cold" Beverly it's difficult to not root for the upstart Kentucky native, and after watching his most recent showing this past weekend at VFW Fight Nights: Under Siege, the rally for the young talent will only increase.

The 18-year-old lightweight squared off with Matthew Dotson in one of the showcase bouts on the card and entered the cage determined to add his third straight victory to his current winning streak. And while Beverly would go on to get his hand raised in the strangest of fashions, it was his hand raised nonetheless. Beverly's offensive pressure and continuous work toward locking up a submission hold was too much for Dotson to want any more of, and his corner signaled the referee to end the fight via verbal submission.

Even though Beverly wasn't able to showcase the versatile skill set he keeps in the tool box, there's an element about Beverly's game at such a young age that is absolutely undeniable. Granted, his striking is aggressive and his ground game is slick. But Stone' s willingness to fight the toughest competition available is something you just don't often see from up-and-coming prospects. 

Beverly has proven he's someone to keep an eye on and did so all before he could legally order a cold beer on a Saturday night.

FloCombat Grade: B