Man Utd icon Patrice Evra, 43, comes out of retirement for MMA fight and calls out Luis Suarez after racism storm
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Patrice Evra is making a shock career change as an MMA fighter – and wants old rival Luis Suarez as his first opponent.
Evra will swap kicking a football for kicking an opponent as he prepares to make his mixed martial arts debut at PFL Europe Paris at the Accor Arena on 23 May.
The Frenchman has been training in combat sports alongside PFL French superstar Cédric Doumbé since 2016.
The 43-year-old said: “You guys should know by now, I love this game too!
“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.
“I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this.
“I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.”
And after seeing his boxing debut cancelled in 2022, Evra will now fulfil his new dream next month.
The former left-back’s opponent is yet to be announced, but he will be fighting on the same card as a number of French fighting superstars.
However, taking to social media, Evra called out former Liverpool ace Suarez to face him in the ring.
Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford
And in a reference to the Uruguayan’s famed biting antics, he said: “I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent… They asked who I wanna face.
“I said: Luis Suárez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”
Evra and Suarez have a history dating back to their respective days in the Premier League, when the forward was found guilty of racially abusing the defender during a clash at Anfield in 2011.
Suarez was accused of using “insulting words” towards the Man Utd star including reference to the colour of Evra’s skin.
The striker, now 38, was accused of using the word “negro” seven times in around two minutes, while Evra had told him he would “punch him” after asking him to repeat what he had said.
Meanwhile, Suarez claimed he had used the word “negro” once and in a friendly way as is normal in Uruguayan culture, as opposed to the antagonistic way described by Evra.
The FA eventually slapped Suarez with an eight-game ban after a two-month investigation and six-day hearing into the incident.
After the ban was announced, Liverpool stars were spotted wearing training shirts with Suarez’s name and picture on them during the warm-up in a display of support.
Liverpool decided not to appeal the verdict made against Suarez on January 2012, although they maintained the innocence of the forward.
When the pair met on the pitch again in 2012, Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand before a game at Old Trafford, with prompted an angry reaction from the French international.
At the end of the game as the players walked off the pitch, Evra went in front of Suarez to celebrate in his face.
PFL CEO Pete Murray, said of Evra’s inclusion at next month’s event: “I’m told he loves this game as much as us, and we’ll find out on 23 May!
“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.
“I can’t tell you how excited Patrice has been putting this together, but I think you’re going to see it at the Accor Arena.
“Paris, we’re coming to put on another historic evening of MMA, don’t miss out.”
Evra previously showed off his fighting skills when he was at Marseille in November 2017.
The 81-cap Frenchman was sent off when he kicked one of his team’s fans in the head before kick-off of a Europa League clash at Vitoria Guimaraes.
He was subsequently charged with violent conduct by Uefa and banned from Uefa competition football until June 2018 before he was sacked by his club.
Reacting to the news of his MMA debut, one fan said: “NAH THIS GOTTA BE FAKE NO WAY.”
A second said: “Weirdest MMA signing… ever?”
A third added: “Lmaoooo what.”
Another said: “What the heck did I read.”
Evra officially retired from professional football in 2019 following a year as a free agent after his release from West Ham, whom he had joined in February 2018.
He enjoyed a glittering career, winning 20 trophies with Monaco, Man Utd and Juventus, including multiple league titles in England and Italy and lifting the Champions League with the Red Devils in 2008.
The Paris fight night will be headlined by the lightweight bout between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan, which could lead to Championship contention.