UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov has expressed his willingness to assist former Manchester United football star Patrice Evra as Evra prepares for his mixed martial arts debut in the PFL on May 23.
Following his announcement about venturing into MMA, Evra connected with Nurmagomedov, emphasizing that this move is not a superficial stunt but a serious commitment. The 43-year-old ex-French international player stated his dedication to rigorous preparation for his first fight.
Evra conveyed to Nurmagomedov, “I need to train. I need to approach this seriously. Given the immense respect I have for you and the sport, it’s crucial for me to have a training session with you. I want to learn from the very best.”
Nurmagomedov, a long-time admirer of football, offered his support to Evra, particularly now that both are based in Dubai as Evra gears up for his inaugural fight.
Nurmagomedov responded, stating, “As I’ve told you many times, send me your location, and I will find you. Send location, tell me where you are. When I see you, you must be ready, and that’s all. I will handle the rest. I will teach you how to `smash people.`”
Nurmagomedov is widely recognized as an elite MMA coach, having guided numerous champions, including current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
Since retiring from active competition, Nurmagomedov has focused significantly on coaching. He is known for his demanding training methods and his ability to maximize his fighters` potential. It appears he`s ready to integrate Evra into his training group when their schedules align.
Nurmagomedov concluded, saying, “My only desire is for you to improve. Nothing more. It was great seeing you, and I truly hope you send me your location so we can train together.”
Evra’s first appearance in the PFL is scheduled for May 23 at an event held at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.
Marcus Blakely