PHOTO: Daniel Crockett delivers a punch to Shane Matchette from side mount during their undercard bout at XFC 16 last Friday in Knoxville.

(Photo by John Moorehouse/MMA-Insider.com)

By John Moorehouse

Just last month, Daniel Crockett talked to MMA-Insider.com about his struggles to do all the things a professional fighter has to worry about outside the cage. Namely, the promotional aspect of the sport.

That was then. This is now. Since then, Crockett has a new website for his fighting career and a new nickname -- Killer Croc. He's also coming off a win, besting Shane Matchette by unanimous decision at XFC 16 last week in Knoxville.

"I’ve got to get my name out there, let people know who I am instead of hiding in the shadows and letting everybody get ahead of me," Crockett told MMA-Insider in an interview moments after defeating Matchette. "I didn’t pick that nickname but I think it’s a good nickname for me."

MMA-INSIDER.COM

A welterweight showdown between Nicolae “The Armor” Cury and Corey “The Real Deal” Hill highlights the list of matches announced thus far for XFC 17: Apocalypse, set to take place April 13 from the Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn.

PHOTO: Scott "Hot Sauce" Holtzman, left, sizes up Brandon Demastes at the start ofthe second round of their fight at XFC 16 this past Friday in Knoxville.

(Photo by John Moorehouse/MMA-Insider.com)

By John Moorehouse

Making your debut as a professional, especially for a pro athlete, can be a nerve-wracking experience.

For Scott "Hot Sauce" Holtzman? Not so much. At XFC 16 last Friday, Holtzman competed in his first pro mixed martial arts fight at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum -- which is also the home venue for the Knoxville Ice Bears hockey team. Holtzman made a two-game stint with the Ice Bears back in 2008 as a defenseman after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in criminal justice.

"This is like a second homecoming for me," Holtzman told MMA-Insider.com after defeating Brandon Demastes by submission in the second round. "It's pretty cool."