Patrice Evra taking MMA ‘extremely seriously’ ahead of debut says former PFL champion
Patrice Evra is a ‘proper athlete’ and his age will play a minor role in his imminent MMA debut. That’s according to former PFL featherweight champion and co-host of talkSPORT MMA’s Uncage show Brendan Loughnane, who has asserted the ex-footballer is taking his new sport ‘extremely seriously.’ Evra will try his hand in MMA on May 23 in at PFL Europe ParisPFL Europe The PFL announced last week that Evra, who made 273 appearances during his eight-year spell at Manchester United, will fulfill his new fighting dream at PFL Europe Paris on May 23. The 43-year-old legendary left-back began his combat sports training in 2016, honing his skillset alongside PFL superstar Cedric Doumble. He has now mixed it up with Briton Loughnane, who joined Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs live on talkSPORT on Thursday to discuss the Frenchman’s debut. “I was incredibly impressed,” he said. “He’s actually got a bit of a martial arts background. “He’s done a bit before and you can actually tell by his stance and the way positions himself, and of course that left leg that he is famous for you. “When he was letting them kicks off, you could definitely tell there’s some juice behind them and I’m actually excited for his debut.” Evra’s opponent for his Paris debut has not been announced yet, but he’s already named former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez as an ideal first fight. Loughnane, who won $1 million by triumphing in PFL’s 2022 featherweight tournament, believes Evra has the potential to thrive in the fight game. “He really did have everything in place to really have a good go at this MMA thing,” he added. “And I know he’s a little bit older and he’s on the other side of 40, but he’s kept his body in great nick. Evra is taking his MMA debut ‘extremely seriously,’ according to LoughnaneGetty Loughnane is one of the most accomplished British MMA fighters of all timePFL “He said he didn’t even have his first drink until he was 33, he’s a proper athlete. He knows what he’s doing and I’m really excited for it. “It is like when you’ve been at a high level of sports like he asked for so long. It’s just something that’s gonna give him a bit of purpose. “I think that’s kicking back in now and with him living such a clean lifestyle and having such an amazing career.” Evra won the Premier League five times in England with Man United before a brief spell in East London with West Ham at the end of his career. The left-back won 14 trophies in his time at Old Trafford, including both the Champions League and Club World Cup. He also had spells with French sides Monaco and Marseille, and Italian giants Juventus as well as winning 81 caps for France. Evra won the Premier League five times at Manchester United He called out Luis Suarez for his MMA debut following the pair’s controversial encounter in 2011getty Loughnane concluded by sharing insights into Evra’s character and his training. “I will tell you guys, he’s taking it extremely seriously. He’s very humble. “I’ll give you an example. I had my belt with me for a bit of PR and they said, ‘Bring it, take some pictures with him with the belt.’ “I brought the belt into the ring to take the picture, and he literally said to me, ‘No Brendan I can’t touch your belt. It’s not my belt. I didn’t earn it.’ “I was like, ‘Wow. What a guy you’re Patrice Evra, a Manchester United legend. What do you mean? Put it over your shoulder!” PFL Europe will see the best French MMA athletes compete, with Mansour Barnaoui and the undefeated Archie Colgan set to fight in a huge bout at lightweight. The card also features PFL debutant Taylor Lapilus, who is fresh off his 6-2 record in the UFC as he takes on Ali Taleb. Belgian prospect Patrick Habirora will also lock horns with compatriot Nicolas Di Franco on the card.
Patrice Evra is a ‘proper athlete’ and his age will play a minor role in his imminent MMA debut.
That’s according to former PFL featherweight champion and co-host of talkSPORT MMA’s Uncage show Brendan Loughnane, who has asserted the ex-footballer is taking his new sport ‘extremely seriously.’
The PFL announced last week that Evra, who made 273 appearances during his eight-year spell at Manchester United, will fulfill his new fighting dream at PFL Europe Paris on May 23.
The 43-year-old legendary left-back began his combat sports training in 2016, honing his skillset alongside PFL superstar Cedric Doumble.
He has now mixed it up with Briton Loughnane, who joined Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs live on talkSPORT on Thursday to discuss the Frenchman’s debut.
“I was incredibly impressed,” he said. “He’s actually got a bit of a martial arts background.
“He’s done a bit before and you can actually tell by his stance and the way positions himself, and of course that left leg that he is famous for you.
“When he was letting them kicks off, you could definitely tell there’s some juice behind them and I’m actually excited for his debut.”
Evra’s opponent for his Paris debut has not been announced yet, but he’s already named former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez as an ideal first fight.
Loughnane, who won $1 million by triumphing in PFL’s 2022 featherweight tournament, believes Evra has the potential to thrive in the fight game.
“He really did have everything in place to really have a good go at this MMA thing,” he added.
“And I know he’s a little bit older and he’s on the other side of 40, but he’s kept his body in great nick.
“He said he didn’t even have his first drink until he was 33, he’s a proper athlete. He knows what he’s doing and I’m really excited for it.
“It is like when you’ve been at a high level of sports like he asked for so long. It’s just something that’s gonna give him a bit of purpose.
“I think that’s kicking back in now and with him living such a clean lifestyle and having such an amazing career.”
Evra won the Premier League five times in England with Man United before a brief spell in East London with West Ham at the end of his career.
The left-back won 14 trophies in his time at Old Trafford, including both the Champions League and Club World Cup.
He also had spells with French sides Monaco and Marseille, and Italian giants Juventus as well as winning 81 caps for France.
Loughnane concluded by sharing insights into Evra’s character and his training.
“I will tell you guys, he’s taking it extremely seriously. He’s very humble.
“I’ll give you an example. I had my belt with me for a bit of PR and they said, ‘Bring it, take some pictures with him with the belt.’
“I brought the belt into the ring to take the picture, and he literally said to me, ‘No Brendan I can’t touch your belt. It’s not my belt. I didn’t earn it.’
“I was like, ‘Wow. What a guy you’re Patrice Evra, a Manchester United legend. What do you mean? Put it over your shoulder!”
PFL Europe will see the best French MMA athletes compete, with Mansour Barnaoui and the undefeated Archie Colgan set to fight in a huge bout at lightweight.
The card also features PFL debutant Taylor Lapilus, who is fresh off his 6-2 record in the UFC as he takes on Ali Taleb.
Belgian prospect Patrick Habirora will also lock horns with compatriot Nicolas Di Franco on the card.
