Exclusive: Patrice Evra gives impressions of MMA training camp ahead of PFL debut: ‘It’s intense, I won’t lie’

Known exclusively as a top-class footballer, former Manchester United star Patrice Evra will be making his MMA debut later this month on the bill at PFL Europe in Paris.

The retired footballer spoke to DAZN News to give his first impressions of training.

"It’s intense, I won’t lie," Evra said. "I’m struggling during training and I love it. I didn’t come here saying, 'I’m Patrice Evra, the football legend.' I have two coaches, Ramzy and Leon. They’re super cool - but not in the cage."

Being pushed to the limit is a feeling that Evra appreciates.

"There’s no joking around," he explained. "At the slightest mistake, if they see I don’t have the right guard - stick hit.

"They want me to learn fast because I don’t have much time to prepare for a fight. Very, very strict. You have to be on time - just the way I like it. It’s my universe."

In Dubai, Evra works out at the Triple 3 gym alongside Ramzy, his trainer. The man who played under Sir Alex Ferguson is now immersed in a new world, with particularly demanding coaches of a different kind.

"I don’t like the word 'hard.' These are challenges, it’s a learning process," Evra said. "There have been difficult moments. But I know what it’s like to be out of breath and run for 100 minutes - that’s different."

Evra admits that the rigours of MMA are a different challenge, with the former footballer often pushed to his limits.

"A three-minute round - even with good cardio - you’re out of breath," he said. "It’s different."