🔗 Share this article Those Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and at Manchester United. Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete remarks. "We frequently say, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities for him and his siblings. The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before enrolling in one of the country's universities. However, reality now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization. His brothers have chosen a separate route in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad. "The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," says Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team." Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years. The area has a rich tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk. "As a young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a great deal." "Some of the footballers he faces lack the identical base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older. He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim. Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently. "They played Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him straight away." Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023. "Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the young players play now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," adds Ibragim. "He learned everything faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been training with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym. In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight. "I never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday. However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he says. "Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized." "A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."
Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete remarks. "We frequently say, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities for him and his siblings. The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before enrolling in one of the country's universities. However, reality now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization. His brothers have chosen a separate route in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad. "The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," says Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team." Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years. The area has a rich tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk. "As a young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a great deal." "Some of the footballers he faces lack the identical base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older. He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim. Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently. "They played Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him straight away." Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023. "Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the young players play now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," adds Ibragim. "He learned everything faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been training with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym. In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight. "I never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday. However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he says. "Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized." "A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."