Having achieved success in the sport of soccer at the University of Texas El Paso, Cortney “Cast Iron” Casey is looking to continue to move forward in her athletic career, this time in MMA. Having compiled a 6-2 amateur record, with two championships to show for her efforts, Casey will be making her pro debut on Friday at XFC 24 . When asked why now is the time to make the move to pro, Casey responded, “I just felt like it was time to step up in competition again, moving up to Tuff-N-Uff (as an amateur) and now to the XFC (as a pro). “My manager and coaches felt it was time for me to move up as well. I can only get better as the competition gets harder and this is a way to do that.” Casey feels her time in the amateurs was invaluable and helped her develop her game to the point where she was able to transition naturally between skillsets. “I feel like I definitely improved my overall game and put everything together,” she said. “It wasn’t just stand-up then Jiu-Jitsu, it was more of a flowing game.