Is The MMA Debut of Patrice Evra Delayed?

Patrice Evra, the former Manchester United and France international defender, was set to step into the MMA cage for the first time at the PFL Europe event scheduled for May 23, 2025, in Paris. However, the event has been postponed, with a new date yet to be confirmed.

From Football Star to Cage Fighter

After retiring from professional football in 2019, Evra has shifted his focus to mixed martial arts, training seriously since 2016. His debut in front of a home crowd at the Accor Arena was eagerly awaited by fans intrigued by his unique transition from elite football to combat sports.

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Training with Champions

Evra has been working alongside high-level fighters, including MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib offered to help guide his preparation, and Evra responded with clear intent, saying he wanted to take the opportunity seriously and give full respect to the sport and its athletes.

A Nod to Old Rivalries

Evra made headlines by suggesting he’d be open to fighting former football rival Luis Suárez in the cage — a reference to their infamous clash in 2011 that led to Suárez receiving an eight-match suspension for racially abusing Evra. In jest, Evra even remarked, “He can even bite me.”

Postponement and Next Steps

While the delay of the Paris event is disappointing for fans, it grants Evra more time to sharpen his skills before making his official MMA debut. The PFL has assured fans that ticket holders will be refunded, and they intend to announce a new event date soon.

Despite the postponement, excitement around Evra’s crossover into MMA remains strong, and the combat sports world will be watching closely when he finally enters the cage.