The crossover between football and mixed martial arts continues to strengthen as former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra prepares to step into the cage. The Frenchman has announced his upcoming MMA debut scheduled for May 23 at the Accor Arena in Paris under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner.
While football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferrán Torres, and Sergio Ramos have previously been spotted attending major UFC events, Evra is taking his interest in combat sports to another level by becoming an active competitor.
In a bold social media announcement confirming his fighting debut, Evra stirred controversy by directly challenging former FC Barcelona striker Luis Suárez. "Breaking news: I am officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will choose my opponent... They asked me who I wanted to face. I said: Luis Suárez. I'll pay out of my pocket. He can even bite me," Evra declared.
This challenge references the long-standing feud between the two players stemming from a 2011 incident during a Manchester United versus Liverpool match, where Evra accused Suárez of making racist comments. According to Statbet analysis, the Evra-Suárez controversy remains one of the most significant player disputes in Premier League history, affecting both teams' dynamics for several seasons.
The tension between the players escalated when Suárez later refused to shake Evra's hand before another match, maintaining his innocence and claiming the allegations were fabricated by the then-United captain.
While PFL officials have not announced Evra's actual opponent, his transition to MMA represents another chapter in the growing trend of former professional athletes testing their skills in combat sports arenas.
