In a move that has stunned both the football and combat sports worlds, former Manchester United and France national team captain Patrice Evra will make his professional MMA debut at PFL Paris on Friday, May 23. The 43-year-old, renowned for his illustrious football career, is set to step inside the PFL SmartCage at the Accor Arena, marking a dramatic career shift for one of football’s most charismatic figures.
𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: Patrice Evra makes his PFL MMA DEBUT at PFL Paris on Friday 23rd May 🤯🤯🤯
⁰The former Manchester United and Les Bleus footballer will enter the SmartCage for the first time inside the Accor Arena in just four weeks time!I LOVE THIS CAGEEEEE! 🔥 @Evra… pic.twitter.com/TeAiuOlOrt
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) April 25, 2025
From Old Trafford to the Octagon
Patrice Evra’s football résumé is the stuff of legend: five Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy with Manchester United, and 81 caps for Les Bleus. Known for his leadership, athleticism, and infectious personality, Evra was a mainstay at left-back for club and country, earning a reputation as one of the best defenders of his generation.
📅 On this day, 11 years ago, Patrice Evra scored this banger against Bayern Munich. 🚀
A goal so good even Manuel Neuer ran off to celebrate. 🤣🥳 pic.twitter.com/7ZbDDvpMcm
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 9, 2025
Now, six years after hanging up his boots, Evra is swapping shin pads for four-ounce gloves. The announcement, first teased on social media with Evra’s trademark exuberance “I LOVE THIS CAGEEEEE!” has already generated a frenzy of anticipation among fans from both sports.
PFL Paris: A Star-Studded Card
Evra’s debut will be part of a blockbuster PFL Europe event at Paris’ Accor Arena, a venue that has quickly become a hub for high-level MMA in France. The card is stacked with some of the continent’s hottest prospects and established names, including:
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Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui vs. Archie Colgan in a lightweight showcase
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Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus making his PFL debut
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Belgian knockout artist Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora in action
The event, already a sell-out, will be broadcast live on DAZN, ensuring a global audience for Evra’s highly anticipated first fight.
Why MMA and Why Now?
Evra’s decision to enter MMA may surprise some, but the Frenchman has never shied away from a challenge. Throughout his football career, he was known for his physicality, mental toughness, and relentless work ethic, traits that translate well to the cage. While details of his opponent have yet to be announced, Evra’s athletic background and competitive spirit suggest he will not be entering the SmartCage unprepared.
His move follows a growing trend of athletes from other sports testing themselves in MMA, but few have done so with Evra’s level of fame or at such a high-profile event.
With French MMA enjoying a surge in popularity and the PFL establishing itself as a major player in the European market, Evra’s debut could be a watershed moment. The Accor Arena crowd, known for its passion and energy, is expected to provide a raucous backdrop for what could be one of the most talked-about debuts in recent memory.
Patrice Evra’s leap from football to MMA is as audacious as it is intriguing. Whether he can replicate his footballing success in the cage remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the eyes of the sporting world will be fixed on Paris come May 23. As Evra himself might say, “I love this game”, and now, he’s ready to prove he loves this cage just as much.
