Luis Suarez responds to Patrice Evra fight challenge as Man Utd legend gives update on MMA debut

The Sun

30-04-2025

PATRICE EVRA has revealed that Luis Suarez could still take up his offer to fight him after announcing his MMA debut.
Evra, 43, revealed last week that he would be making his mixed martial arts debut at PFL Europe Paris at the Accor Arena on 23 May.
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The Manchester United icon later took to social media to call out former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to take him on in the ring.
Evra and Suarez have a history dating back to their respective days in the Premier League, when the forward was found guilty of racially abusing the defender during a clash at Anfield in 2011.
And Suarez, who is still playing professionally with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, hasn't ruled out settling the score with a fight, according to Evra himself.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Evra revealed: "I was quite surprised.
"I don't know if it's true, because I'm always careful, but apparently his manager contacted the PFL. Maybe to come and watch my first fight.
"I would be surprised, because to be honest he is still playing football and this is completely different - he could get injured.
"But maybe it will happen, maybe not. Like I say, it's something I've asked. If it doesn't happen it's not a big deal."
Evra, who retired in 2019 after making over 700 career appearances, went into more detail on why he would want to fight Suarez.
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He explained: "When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis Suárez because I had a beef with him on the back in the day when I was captain of United and he played for Liverpool.
"He had some racist abuse. I don't call him a racist, it's just that they used some racist words, and I want to do this fight."
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Adding: "I think the world wants to see that fight. So I am like, 'Please accept the offer'.
"I don't know if he would be the first, or the second, or the third fight. But I think the world deserves to see that fight".
Suarez was accused of using "insulting words" towards Evra including reference to the colour of the French international's skin in 2011.
The striker, now 38, was accused of using an offensive term seven times in around two minutes, while Evra had told him he would "punch him" after asking him to repeat what he had said.
Meanwhile, Suarez claimed he had used the word once and in a friendly way as is normal in Uruguayan culture, as opposed to the antagonistic way described by Evra.
The FA eventually slapped Suarez with an eight-game ban after a two-month investigation and six-day hearing into the incident.
After the ban was announced, Liverpool stars were spotted wearing training shirts with Suarez's name and picture on them during the warm-up in a display of support.
Liverpool decided not to appeal the verdict made against Suarez on January 2012, although they maintained the innocence of the forward.
When the pair met on the pitch again in 2012, Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand before a game at Old Trafford, with prompted an angry reaction from the French international.
At the end of the game as the players walked off the pitch, Evra went in front of Suarez to celebrate in his face.
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