Patrice Evra’s mixed martial arts debut scheduled for later this month has been postponed.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced in April that Evra would compete in an amateur MMA bout at their event in Paris on May 23.
The former Manchester United defender wasted little time naming who he would like to face off against inside the cage, naming ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez whom he accused of racism during a game between the two clubs in 2011.
Since hanging up his boots in 2018 following a brief stint at West Ham, Evra has been training in combat sports alongside his friend and former kickboxing world champion Cedric Doumbe.
The event had been scheduled to be headlined by a lightweight clash between perennial stalwart of European MMA Mansour Barnaoui, and undefeated American prospect Archie Colgan.
However, PFL announced this week that the event has been postponed.
Patrice Evra’s mixed martial arts debut scheduled for later this month has been postponed
The 43-year-old was set to compete in an amateur bout at PFL Paris on May 23
However the promotion announced that the event has been rescheduled with a new date set to be announced soon
A statement from the promotion read: ‘PFL Europe Paris on 23 May has been rescheduled, and a new date will be announced soon.
‘All fans who have purchased tickets will receive a full refund.’
Ahead of his debut inside the cage, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov offered to help the 43-year-old train for his latest sporting venture.
In a lighthearted tone, Nurmagomedov said: ‘Brother, you don’t need this! Why do you have to train? If you need to fight, I’m going to fight for you!’
Evra, while laughing, replied: ‘Thank you for having my back brother! But I need to train, bro. I need to take it seriously.
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‘You know how much respect I have for you and for the sport. So that’s why I really need to have a training session with you’.
The ex-UFC star said: ‘Brother I told you many times, send me location! I’m going to find you. Send me location. Tell me, where are you?’
Evra made 397 appearances for United in all competitions between 2006 and 2014, scoring 10 goals.
During that time he became a five-time Premier League winner, and was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side that defeated Chelsea to triumph in the Champions League final in 2008.
