Manchester United icon Patrice Evra is leaving no stone unturned as he gears up for his first professional mixed martial arts bout, scheduled to take place next month in Paris.
The legendary defender enjoyed a highly decorated playing career, securing numerous accolades and solidifying his place among football`s elite. Since retiring, Evra has transitioned into a prominent role as a football pundit and a popular personality on social media platforms.
Evra`s venture into combat sports began with boxing training towards the end of his football career, eventually leading him to MMA. He has now signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and is set to make his promotional debut inside the Smart Cage during the PFL`s return to the Accor Arena.
Patrice Evra Enlists Aid from Top PFL Fighters for MMA Training
In anticipation of his inaugural cage appearance, Patrice Evra has sought assistance from some of the most prominent names under the PFL banner. It was already known that he had been training under the guidance of Cedric Doumbe, but he is now broadening his preparation even further.
Brendan Loughnane, the featherweight champion of the 2022 PFL season and a dedicated supporter of Manchester United, recently posted a series of images showing him training alongside Evra. It appears Evra has established a training base in Dubai, where Loughnane frequently spends time.
The photographs feature Loughnane posing with his championship belt alongside Evra, followed by what seemed like a light training session between the two. Loughnane captioned the post: “Welcome to the @pflmma brother #Manchester,” with many commenters highlighting their shared legendary status in the city.
Patrice Evra Explains His Motivation for Fighting in the Cage
Upon announcing his PFL signing via social media, Evra humorously suggested he was challenging his former rival, Luis Suarez. The two players shared a notable and at times bitter rivalry during their spells at Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively.
However, Evra is more likely to be matched with an opponent who possesses some degree of combat sports experience, even if limited. In a press release, Evra articulated his reasons for competing: “You guys should know by now, I love this game too.”
Evra continued, “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.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in his readiness: “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.”
