It appears as if exciting 140-pound boxing talent Regis Prograis also has tremendous respect for MMA, and is even training jiu-jitsu in Brazil.
Junior welterweight boxer Regis Prograis (22-0, 19 KOs) is one of the sport’s most exciting up-and-coming talents. Having turned professional in 2012, “Rougarou” is regarded as one of the best (if not the best) fighters in his weight class. He’s currently the WBC interim champion, and by 2019 he’ll be poised to become a unified titleholder in his division through the World Boxing Super Series.
Not only is the Louisiana-native seemingly on his way to becoming a major name in boxing, he’s very much in tune with the MMA world. Over the weekend, Prograis attended Shooto Brazil 86 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and met up with former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
With one of the best fighters to ever step in the octagon @josealdojunior #boxing #mma #champs #fighters #brazil pic.twitter.com/3KUHWtbkvq
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) August 6, 2018
Prograis, who is married to a Brazilian woman and has since become fluent in Portuguest, was also interviewed by Combate television, with Aldo by his side.
On Wednesday, Prograis posted a short clip of himself working on his jiu-jitsu, and even teased the possibility that he’ll be crossing over to MMA down the line.
Just a lil sneak peak of what I’m working on in Brazil. Don’t be surprised if I start calling out MMA fighters in about 2 years #mma #boxing #brazil #NewOrleans #savage #fighter pic.twitter.com/viGsWv8Nue
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) August 8, 2018
During the ESPN telecast of his win over Juan Jose Velasco, commentators noted that as a kid, Prograis also dabbled in wrestling and karate, but was kicked out of karate school for essentially being too violent. This was something Prograis brought up in an interview with the New Orleans Time-Picayune.
“The objective in karate is points,” Prograis said. “You’re supposed to tap them and get the points. In boxing, in professional boxing, you want to hurt dudes. I was going out there trying to hurt them.”
The 29-year-old Prograis, whose purses totaled just $5,700 for bouts 4-7 in his pro career, is now managed by Hollywood actor and producer Peter Berg. Notable wins for Prograis include a second-round TKO of fellow prospect Joel Diaz Jr, and a four-knockdown thrashing of former unified junior welterweight champion Julius Indongo.
By defeating Velasco via eighth-round TKO last month, Prograis secured a spot in the World Boxing Super Series 140 lbs tournament, and the #1 overall seed got to choose his quarterfinal opponent, England’s Terry Flanagan (33-1, 13 KOs). That fight will reportedly take place in Prograis’ home city of New Orleans on October 27th. If he reigns supreme in this eight-man field, he’ll have amassed millions of dollars in prize money and the WBA and IBF belts, making him the clear #1 at junior welterweight.
Highlights of Prograis’ boxing skills can be seen in the videos below:
(Knockdowns at 16:42, 24:52, and final round at 26:40)