Patrice Evra has shared an update on his potential MMA fight with former Premier League rival Luis Suarez, after the Manchester United star announced that he is in training for his combat debut.
Evra, 43, hung up his boots in July 2019, having made 734 senior football appearances, winning 20 trophies in 21 years. Meanwhile, Suarez is still at it in the MLS, playing for David Beckham-owned Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi and Co.
Since his retirement, Evra’s off-the-pitch escapades have included punditry, business ventures, and his emergence as a social media personality.
Six years on from football, the former Man United left back has switched the boots for gloves and debut for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at their event in Paris on May 23.
While his opponent is as yet unknown, Evra shared on social media that he wanted to fight Suarez, who he accused of racial abuse during a 1-1 meeting between Man United and Liverpool in 2011.
In discussion with journalist Ariel Helwani, Evra explained why he was motivated to step into the ring with his former rival.
Patrice Evra has shed light on a potential meeting in the cage between himself and Luis Suarez
The former Manchester United star has been ramping up preparations ahead of his first fight
‘When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis Suarez, because I had beef with him back in the day when I was captain of United and he played for Liverpool.
‘He had some racist abuse. I don’t call him a racist, it’s just that they used some racist words, and I want to do this fight.
‘I met him after, when I played for Juventus, when we played in the Champions League final I shook his hand, so I have no issue. But I think the world wants to see that fight, so I’m like, “please, accept the offer”.
‘I don’t know if it would be the first, the second, or the third fight, but I think the world deserves to see that fight.’
After the 2011 incident, Suarez was charged with ‘abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour contrary to FA rules’, including ‘a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra’.
When asked about the possibility of it taking place, Evra had some promising news for crossover fight fans.
‘I was quite surprised, because I don’t know if it’s true,’ Evra continued. ‘But apparently his manager contacted the PFL, perhaps to come and watch my first fight.
‘I will be surprised, because he’s still playing football, and this is completely different and maybe he would get injured.
Former Reds star Suarez was later charged by the FA for using racially abusive language
The Inter Miami player was the first would-be opponent that Evra called out on social media
‘But maybe it will happen, maybe not. But like I say, it’s something I’ve asked, if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal.’
Evra had called out Suarez on social media, sharing a post in which he even appeared to greenlight the possibility of the former Barcelona star ‘biting’ him.
‘BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with (PFL). They will pick my opponent….They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suarez,’ the post read.
‘I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.’
Evra’s post referenced a string of controversies that have dogged Suarez throughout his playing career, the first coming while playing for Ajax in 2009 when he bit PSV opponent Otman Bakkal.
While playing for Liverpool four years later, perhaps most famously, Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on the arm.
The Uruguay international also bit Italy centre back Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder in 2014.
Evra began his combat training in 2016, helped by his friend and PFL superstar, Cedric Doumbe.
Evra appeared to be getting training tips from UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov
The 43-year-old also welcomed friend and former team-mate Paul Pogba into his set-up
He was previously set to debut in another combat sport against social media star Adam Saleh in 2022 before the boxing bout was called off by celebrity promotion Boxstar.
But his preparations could yet take another step up, with Evra contacted by UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov with a view to assisting his preparations.
Evra shared a video of himself receiving a call from the former lightweight UFC champion, which showed the pair in conversation and Nurmagomedov vowing that he wanted to ‘improve’ the former Serie A star.
The former professional’s preparations were also watched by a former team-mate, Paul Pogba, the pair’s friendship dating back to when the World Cup winner joined Manchester United’s academy in 2009.
