Patrice Evra’s Transition from Football to MMA: A New Chapter Begins
In a surprising twist that has left both football and MMA fans buzzing, former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is set to make his debut in the world of mixed martial arts. The 43-year-old, who is fondly remembered for his time at Old Trafford, will step into the cage for a “showcase bout” in Paris on May 23. And if that wasn’t intriguing enough, Evra has expressed a rather unique desire for his first opponent: none other than Luis Suárez, with a cheeky nod to their infamous past, saying Suárez “can even bite me.”
Evra’s illustrious football career saw him clinch five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy during his eight-year stint with Manchester United. However, his encounters with Suárez, the former Liverpool forward, were often marred by controversy. The most notable incident occurred in November 2011 when Suárez was charged by the Football Association for racially abusing Evra during a match at Anfield. This led to an eight-game ban for the Uruguayan striker.
The tension between the two didn’t end there. When Suárez returned from his suspension, he refused to shake Evra’s hand during a match at Old Trafford in February, further fueling the rivalry. Suárez, who is now playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, has been involved in other high-profile incidents, including biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.
Evra’s announcement of his MMA debut came via a post on X, where he humorously suggested a bout with Suárez. “BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent … They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me,” Evra wrote.
Training for this new venture, Evra has been working alongside his friend and Professional Fighters League (PFL) star Cédric Doumbé. The former left-back expressed his excitement for the upcoming event, stating, “You guys should know by now, I love this game too! I’ve performed on the world’s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me.” He added, “I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.”
- Evra’s MMA debut is set for May 23 in Paris.
- He has been training with PFL star Cédric Doumbé.
- His opponent for the “showcase bout” is yet to be announced.
The PFL has yet to announce Evra’s opponent for the bout, but the anticipation is palpable. PFL CEO Pete Murray shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m told he loves this game as much as us, and we’ll find out on 23 May! We’re incredibly excited to have the superstar that is Patrice Evra fight under the PFL banner, as we’re all about exciting match-ups and making history. I can’t tell you how excited Patrice has been putting this together, but I think you’re going to see it at the Accor Arena.”
Evra hung up his football boots in 2018 after a brief spell with West Ham United. Now, as he embarks on this new journey in MMA, fans from both sports are eager to see how the former footballer fares in the octagon. Will he bring the same passion and tenacity that he displayed on the football pitch? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Patrice Evra is ready to entertain and make his mark in the world of MMA.
Originally Written by: ESPN
