Patrice Evra, professional fighter.

Later this month, the former Manchester United and France defender, 43, will make his mixed martial arts debut on May 23 at the upcoming PFL Europe fight card in Paris, France.

It is a development which took the majority of the football and mixed martial arts communities by surprise, especially given that Evra was not known to have any significant combat sports experience in spite of his somewhat combative personality on the pitch.

When the word first leaked out, many suggested that Evra should fight the Inter Miami and former Barcelona player Luis Suarez who was many years ago issued with an eight-game suspension amid allegations he used racially insensitive language towards Evra during a match.

And as it turned out, this was the fight that Evra wanted too.

“When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis Suarez because I had a beef with him on the back in the day when I was captain of United and he played for Liverpool,” Evra told Ariel Helwani, as noted by TalkSport.

“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… I think the world wants to see that fight.”

Somewhat surprisingly, Evra also revealed that there appeared to be some interest on Suarez’s side — although he admitted that he was doubtful.

“I don’t know if it’s true, because I’m always careful, but apparently his manager contacted the PFL,” said Evra.  “I would be surprised, because to be honest he is still playing football and this is completely different. He could get injured.”

Evra, who won a total of eight league titles throughout his career as well as a Champions League in 2008, is reportedly being trained by French kickboxing icon Cedric Doumbe ahead of his MMA debut.