UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov offers to train Patrice Evra ahead of MMA debut – and claims he’ll teach ex-Man United star ‘how to smash people’

Patrice Evra has taken the shock decision to step into the world of MMA

Former UFC champion Khabib has since offered his support to the Frenchman

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has offered to train former Man United star Patrice Evra ahead of his mixed martial arts debut next month.

Evra, 43, has decided to switch his football boots for MMA gloves as he prepares to debut for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at their Paris event on May 23.

While his opponent for the event has yet to be confirmed, Evra – who has previous experience training in combat sports – has already begun preparing for the bout.

The former United star was paid a visit by fellow Frenchman Paul Pogba earlier in the week and, now, the retired football star has been contacted by Nurmagomedov.

In a video posted onto Instagram, Evra was sat in his MMA gym when he received a call from the former UFC lightweight champion.

In a lighthearted tone, Nurmagomedov said: ‘Brother, you don’t need this! Why do you have to train? If you need to fight, I’m going to fight for you!’

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov offered his help to Patrice Evra ahead of his MMA debut

Manchester United legend Evra will make his MMA debut at PFL Europe Paris on May 23

Retired MMA star Nurmagomedov held an undefeated record before hanging up his gloves

Evra, while laughing, replied: ‘Thank you for having my back brother! But I need to train, bro. I need to take it seriously.

‘You know how much respect I have for you and for the sport. So that’s why I really need to have a training session with you’.

The ex-UFC star said: ‘Brother I told you many times, send me location! I’m going to find you. Send me location. Tell me, where are you?’

Evra responded: ‘I’m scared to send you my location brother! No, I’m here in Dubai. We’re at the gym. I know you have a little issue but when you fix it, please brother, I need to have some training.

‘When I see you, you have to be ready. I’m going to teach you how to smash people,’ Nurmagomedov said with a smirk across his face.

A concerned Evra replied: ‘Can I ask you a question? I know you love me but at the same time I feel like you want to kill me and destroy me!’

Again, with a smile on his face, Nurmagomedov said: ‘No, no. I just want you to improve yourself. Nothing else. It’s very good to see you brother. See you soon’.

Nurmagomedov has not stepped foot inside the cage since October 2020 after hanging up his gloves with a spotless record of 30-0.

Among those wins was the historic victory over Conor McGregor when the two met October 2018. Nurmagomedov won via neck crank in the fourth round.

In the build-up to that fight, Nurmagomedov posted an ominous video aimed at McGregor, where he repeated: ‘Send me location’.

Nurmagomedov beat rival Conor McGregor in one of the UFC’s most iconic battles

Evra has stepped up his training as he prepares to step into the Smart Cage next month

Meanwhile, six years on from football, former Man United left back Evra will make his debut for the PFL at their event in Paris on May 23.

Evra declared on social media that he wants to fight Suarez, whom he accused of racial abuse back in 2011 during a 1-1 draw between Man United and Liverpool.

Evra also aimed a jibe at Suarez being infamously involved in three separate biting incidents during his career.

Evra wrote on X: ‘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 Suarez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.’