PARIS – Former Manchester United player Patrice Evra has called out his age-old foe Luis Suarez to fight in a mixed martial arts bout next month, 13 years on from an infamous racism row.
The 43-year-old hung up his boots in July 2019, having made 734 senior football appearances for club and country (France), winning 20 trophies in 21 years. Meanwhile, Suarez, a former Liverpool star, is still at it in the MLS, playing for David Beckham-owned Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi and Co.
Since his retirement, Evra’s off-the-pitch escapades have included punditry, business ventures, and his emergence as a social media personality.
Six years on from football, Evra has switched the boots for gloves and debut for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at their event in Paris on May 23.
According to the Daily Mail, his opponent is yet to be confirmed, despite the event being less than a month away.
Evra declared on social media that he wants to fight Suarez, whom he accused of racial abuse back in 2011 during a 1-1 draw between Man United and Liverpool.
BREAKING: 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.— Patrice Evra (@Evra) April 25, 2025
Suarez was charged with ‘abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour contrary to FA rules’, including ‘a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra’.
Evra also aimed a jibe at Suarez, who is infamously involved in three separate biting incidents during his career.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis’s funeral to be held on Saturday; many world leaders expected
Evra wrote on X: ‘BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent… They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suarez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.’
Suarez’s first controversy came while playing for Ajax in 2009, when he bit PSV opponent Otman Bakkal.
While playing for Liverpool four years later, perhaps most famously, Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on the arm.
And, finally, the last of the Uruguayan’s antics came when he bit Italy centre back Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder in 2014.
Evra began his combat training in 2016, helped by his friend and PFL superstar, Cedric Doumbe.
He was previously set to debut in another combat sport against social media star Adam Saleh in 2022 before the boxing bout was called off by celebrity promotion Boxstar.
Evra released an official statement confirming his inclusion on PFL’s card. He 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.’
PFL CEO Pete Murray shared his latest fighter’s excitement, adding: ‘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 played 379 games for United between 2005 and 2014, scoring 10 goals and winning 14 trophies in that time.
Other notable clubs he played for include: West Ham, Marseille, Juventus, Monaco and Nice.
