Manchester United legend Patrice Evra is preparing to step into a completely different kind of arena in the near future.
In a recent announcement that surprised many, PFL Europe confirmed that Patrice Evra will make his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut on May 23rd.
While his opponent and weight class are yet to be announced, the former Champions League winner is set to compete at the Accor Arena in Paris.
To aid his preparation, Evra has recently trained with PFL fighters Cedric Doumbe and Brendan Loughnane, and has also received public support from MMA icon Khabib Nurmagomedov.
However, the 43-year-old Frenchman`s connection to combat sports dates back several years, predating his planned debut, when he shared the cage with one of the UFC`s most dynamic strikers.
Years Before PFL Deal, Patrice Evra Showed Michael ‘Venom’ Page His Punching Power
In a November 2019 video for COPA90 Football, Patrice Evra linked up with Michael `Venom` Page for an interview and a brief training session.
The pair discussed their careers and competitive mindsets. At the time, Page was preparing for his Bellator London fight, where he would go on to defeat Gianni Melillo in under two minutes.
Following a chat about their shared support for Manchester United, they moved on to the physical aspect, with Evra even standing on a bench to eye-level the 6`3″ welterweight during a face-off.
Page then walked him through his famous flying knee knockout of Evangelista `Cyborg` Santos, a finish Evra admired, particularly due to Page`s unique Pokemon-inspired celebration.
Afterward, the former football left-back donned gloves, and Page instructed him on basic boxing techniques, covering footwork, breath control, and combinations.
Even without pads, Page was reportedly impressed by the power Evra could generate in his punches after connecting a few times, especially considering Evra had only retired from football earlier that year.
The striking specialist complimented his temporary student, and Evra suggested it could be the first of multiple training sessions together.
Neither man knew at the time that Evra`s MMA debut would come approximately six years later, with him scheduled to enter the SmartCage on May 23rd. Evra had even commented during the session, “I will maybe come and train with you one day because I love that.”
Evra`s Previous Combat Sports Experience
In the same interview, Evra mentioned that his session with Page wasn`t his first experience with combat sports.
While asking Page about his early start in martial arts, the former Manchester United star briefly shared his own childhood experiences with fighting.
I love to fight when I was a kid. I done some kickboxing in the street but I didn’t like go anymore, I just play football.
Evra also shared that he sometimes boxed during his professional football career as a way to release frustration and aggression.
Before the training session, I was going down, doing some boxing and everything and to be fair, when we start the session, I was like more aggressive. I was tackling and we did that just to wake up all your aggression so you have to switch.
