Former French football captain Patrice Evra to compete at PFL Europe Paris

Former captain of the French national football team, Patrice Evra, has swapped sports and will step into the PFL SmartCage on May 23.

Evra, who captured five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United, and two Serie A titles with Juventus, retired from professional football back in 2019.

But now, Evra is set to make his mixed martial arts debut at PFL Europe Paris on May 23 at the Accor Arena.

🚨𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🚨
From the Pitch to the SmartCage ⚽️👊
Former Manchester United and Les Bleus star @Evra makes his PFL MMA DEBUT at PFL Paris on Friday 23rd May#PFLParis | Friday 23rd May
🎟️ On Sale NOW | LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/2iCufpIFVy
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 25, 2025

Evra started training in 2016, and has been working alongside former GLORY kickboxing world champion and PFL star Cedric Doumbe ahead of his debut, with his opponent set to be named in due course.

“You guys should know by now, I love this game too!” said Evra.

“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.”

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

PFL CEO Pete Murray added, “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’s bout joins a fight card that features French lightweight contender Mansour Barnaoui, who takes on American Archie Colgan in the main event. Also set for action on the card are Belgian super-prospect Patrick Habirora, French veteran Taylor Lapilus and English bantamweight contender Dean Garnett.