Patrice Evra has never been one to back down from a challenge, whether on the football pitch or, now, inside the cage. The former Manchester United and Juventus star is preparing to make his MMA debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) — and he’s already set his sights on an old nemesis: Luis Suarez.
Their history is well-known among football fans, but Evra is proposing a completely different kind of face-off this time. The Frenchman wants to settle the score the old-fashioned way — with gloves, a cage, and even bites.
After hanging up his football boots in 2019, Evra didn’t just disappear into quiet retirement. Behind the scenes, he was trading in slide tackles for uppercuts. Training since 2016 alongside MMA welterweight standout Cedric Doumbe, Evra has been sharpening his combat skills and now feels ready to step into the professional scene.
His first official fight is locked in for May 23 at PFL Europe Paris, a night that promises fireworks as Evra enters the cage at the iconic Accor Arena. His opponent has not been named yet, but if Evra had his way, Luis Suarez would be standing across from him when the cage door locks.
Evra announced his intentions through a playful but pointed social media post, joking that Suarez would even be allowed to “bite” — a not-so-subtle reference to Suarez’s infamous history of biting opponents during his playing days. Their animosity dates back over a decade to a Premier League clash that led to Suarez receiving an eight-game ban for racially abusing Evra — a wound that clearly still hasn’t fully healed.
Now, with gloves instead of football boots, Evra sees an opportunity for closure in a very different arena.
While Evra has been loud and clear about his invitation, Suarez has remained silent. Evra’s open callout might seem theatrical to some, but there’s real passion behind it. After a stellar football career decorated with Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and domestic success in both England and Italy, Evra’s competitive fire is clearly still burning.
