Former Manchester United and French international football star, Patrice Evra, is set to embark on an exciting new career path, making his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut. The 43-year-old will enter the cage at the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Europe event in Paris, scheduled for May 23 at the renowned Accor Arena in Bercy.
Evra`s venture into combat sports is not a spur-of-the-moment decision; he has been dedicatedly training in various combat disciplines for nearly a decade. For his inaugural competitive fight, he has been rigorously preparing alongside his close friend and established PFL fighter, Cedric Doumbe, signaling his serious commitment to the sport.
While the opponent for Evra`s highly anticipated Paris bout has yet to be officially announced, the former football captain expressed profound excitement regarding this significant transition in his athletic journey:
“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 May 23, so come watch the spectacle.”
PFL CEO Pete Murray echoed this enthusiasm, emphasizing the historical nature of Evra`s participation in the league:
“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.”
Evra`s illustrious football career spanned over two decades, most notably his eight-and-a-half-year tenure at Manchester United, where he won five Premier League titles, among other prestigious honors. He later moved to Juventus in 2014 and officially retired from professional football six years ago, following a brief spell with West Ham.
This bold step into the demanding world of MMA signifies a new chapter for the decorated athlete, promising a compelling event for sports enthusiasts across the globe.
