Patrice Evra has never been one to follow a conventional script. At 43, the former Manchester United and France national team stalwart is preparing for a new kind of battle. On May 23, Evra will step into the SmartCage at PFL Europe Paris, making his mixed martial arts debut at the Accor Arena.
The transition is no gimmick. Evra has been training in combat sports since 2016, long before this announcement. His preparation has included sessions with Professional Fighters League star Cedric Doumbe and 2022 PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane. Even UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov offered his mentorship, urging Evra to “send me location” so they could train together.
In a social media post, Evra declared, “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.”
A rivalry rekindled?
While Evra’s opponent remains undisclosed, he made headlines by calling out an old nemesis: Luis Suárez. Their storied clash from a 2011 Premier League incident, where Suárez was found guilty of racially abusing Evra, has clearly left its mark. “BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope,” Evra wrote. “They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”
Despite the sharpness of that jab, Evra’s commitment to his new path appears sincere. Friends and fellow fighters describe him as taking training “extremely seriously.” Brendan Loughnane, who has sparred with Evra, noted, “He’s actually got a bit of a martial arts background… you could definitely tell there’s some juice behind them kicks.”
The PFL, a fast-growing MMA force, is betting on Evra’s star power to draw global eyes. CEO Pete Murray emphasized, “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.”
This fight represents more than a spectacle for Evra, who once climbed the heights of football with five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. It is a new proving ground—one he seems determined to conquer.
