In a twist no one saw coming, former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has issued a bold and unexpected challenge to a familiar foe — Luis Suarez.
But this time, the battleground isn’t a football pitch. It’s a cage.
That’s right. Thirteen years after their infamous on-field fallout, Evra wants to face Suarez in a mixed martial arts fight. And he’s not joking around.
A Grudge That Won’t Die: The 2011 Flashback
Evra and Suarez’s bad blood dates all the way back to 2011 when a Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool exploded into controversy.
Evra accused Suarez of racial abuse — a claim that resulted in Suarez receiving an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine.
The fallout from that incident lingered for years, and now, Evra seems to want a final showdown, only this time, under a very different set of rules.
Evra’s Official MMA Debut Is Just Weeks Away
Now 43, Evra has been retired from professional football since 2019 after a glittering career that spanned over 700 matches and 20 major trophies.
Post-retirement, he’s dabbled in punditry, business, and become a bit of a social media entertainer.
But in May 2025, he’s turning the page once again — this time as a fighter. He’s signed up for his first official MMA fight with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in Paris on May 23.
While his opponent hasn’t been officially announced, Evra made it clear on social media who he wants in the octagon.
“I’ll Pay Out of Pocket – He Can Even Bite Me!”
In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), Evra said:
“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.”
Ouch — quite literally. That biting reference isn’t just trash talk.
It’s a cheeky dig at Suarez’s infamous past. The Uruguayan striker was involved in not one, not two, but three biting incidents during his career, including that unforgettable chomp on Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
Suarez Still Active on the Pitch… for Now
While Evra is training to throw punches, Suarez, now 38, is still playing football.
He’s currently suiting up in the MLS for Inter Miami, alongside global superstar Lionel Messi under the ownership of David Beckham.
So far, Suarez hasn’t responded to Evra’s challenge.
Whether or not he’ll rise to the occasion — or brush it off — remains to be seen.
Evra’s Been Training Behind the Scenes for Years
This isn’t just a midlife crisis hobby. Evra has reportedly been honing his combat skills since 2016, often training with PFL superstar Cedric Doumbe.
He even had a boxing match lined up against YouTuber Adam Saleh in 2022, but that bout was cancelled at the last minute.
Now, Evra’s ready for the real deal. And it sounds like he’s all in.
“I’m Going to Put On a Show in Paris”
In a statement, Evra expressed his excitement about stepping into the cage at Paris’ Accor Arena.
“I’ve performed on the world’s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be incredibly special for me… I’ve been training alongside the best in the world, and they’ll tell you I’m ready. Come watch the spectacle.”
PFL CEO Pete Murray echoed that energy, saying Evra’s enthusiasm has been off the charts, promising that May 23 will be a night to remember.
From Champions League to the Cage: A Wild Career Arc
Evra’s football career speaks for itself — 379 appearances for Manchester United, 14 trophies during his Old Trafford years, and stints at Juventus, Marseille, Monaco, West Ham, and Nice.
Now, he’s set to write a new chapter — not in cleats, but with gloves.
Whether Suarez will accept the challenge or ignore it altogether, one thing’s for sure: Patrice Evra knows how to keep people talking. And come fight night in Paris, all eyes will be on him.