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Cocores sharpens skills for Friday fight

Becky Regan
bregan@tahoedailytribune.com

Chris Cocores is coming off two wins, but there’s always room from for improvement.

At least that’s how the South Shore MMA fighter saw it when he joined the Sierra Adrenaline team out of Carson City, Nev., two months ago. Now, in the best shape of his life, Cocores will put his new skills to the test at the World Fighting Championships tonight at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.

“In every fight I’ve taken a couple steps forward, but for this fight, I’ve taken a huge leap,” Cocores said. “Obviously anything can happen, and I accept those circumstances, but I’ve definitely made a lot of progress with the help I’ve gotten down there.”



The WFC fight will headline both Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts fights in a ring instead of a cage. Cocores, who has two wins and one loss from a disqualification under his belt, will face a fighter named Chris Nolasco.

“In every fight I’ve taken a couple steps forward, but for this fight, I’ve taken a huge leap.”
South Shore fighter Chris Cocores

“He and his brother fought on the last card and they both did really well,” Cocores said. “He looks like he has decent stand up and decent ground, but he’s independent so it’s hard to really gain much information.”



Here’s what Cocores does know. Nolasco fought in WFC fight at the Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa back in March. He won his fight in 12 seconds with the guillotine choke.

Without much new intel, Cocores is focusing on the only thing he can — being prepared for whatever his opponent brings to the ring.

Cue Sierra Adrenaline.

The new training team has sharpened every aspect of Cocores fighting, and also sent him home more sore than he’s ever been plenty of nights.

Cocores trains at the gym three times a week with high-level boxing, wrestling and jujitsu coaches.

“It’s completely refined my game and just brought me to the next level where I need to be at this point,” Cocores said. “I’ve made it through those last three fights, but the level of training I needed wasn’t necessarily in front of me. I feel like I’ve gained 10 steps in the last two months.”

When he’s not at the gym, Cocores is getting in cardio and bag work at elevation. All part of the deal for where Cocores plans to take his fighting career in the future.

“We’ve been juggling the idea of a title shot,” Cocores said. “I’ve obviously got to get through this fight first, but that’s definitely what my sights are set on.”

Tickets for the Friday fight start at $25. The first fight is scheduled for 8 p.m.


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