Patrice Evra is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares for his first ever professional MMA fight next month in Paris.
The legendary Manchester United defender achieved numerous honors throughout his illustrious football career, cementing his status as one of the sport`s best. In more recent times, he is recognized for his work as a pundit and his engaging social media presence.
Evra began training in boxing towards the end of his football career before eventually transitioning to mixed martial arts. He is now signed to the PFL (Professional Fighters League) and is scheduled to make his highly anticipated debut in the Smart Cage at the promotion`s return event at the Accor Arena next month.
Seeking Elite Assistance for MMA Preparation
Ahead of stepping into the cage for the first time competitively, Patrice Evra has enlisted the help of some prominent athletes under the PFL banner. It was previously known that he trained under the guidance of striker Cedric Doumbe, but he is now expanding his training circle even further.
Brendan Loughnane, the 2022 PFL featherweight champion and a lifelong supporter of Manchester United, recently shared a series of photos documenting a training session with Evra. Loughnane, who frequently spends time in Dubai, appears to have hosted Evra there for training camp. The photos showed Loughnane posing with his championship belt alongside Evra and seemingly guiding him through some light sparring or drills. Loughnane captioned the post: “Welcome to the @pflmma brother #Manchester,” a remark that prompted many commenters to acknowledge both individuals as legends associated with the city of Manchester.
Evra Explains Motivation for Stepping into the Cage
When he first announced his signing on social media, Evra jokingly suggested a potential bout against his old football rival Luis Suarez, referencing their well-known feud during their time at Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively.
However, he is expected to face an opponent with some level of combat sports experience for his debut. Evra conveyed his genuine passion for MMA in a press release, stating, “You guys should know by now, I love this game too.”
He 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. 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.”
