🔗 Share this article The Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Man Utd. Ibragim Ibragimov started his professional MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I am fond of it here," the PFL star declares. "We frequently remark, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers. The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete school before enrolling in one of the country's universities. However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league. His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team. "The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team." From Grapplers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC champions in the past few years. The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions. This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "So we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a lot." "Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older. He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently. "They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately." Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023. "Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the young players get game time now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are more motivated than the current squad members." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds Ibragim. "He learned everything faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym. In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout. "I would 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 growing up." "Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day. However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I had 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 speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."
Ibragim Ibragimov started his professional MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I am fond of it here," the PFL star declares. "We frequently remark, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers. The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete school before enrolling in one of the country's universities. However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league. His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team. "The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team." From Grapplers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC champions in the past few years. The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions. This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "So we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a lot." "Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older. He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently. "They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately." Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023. "Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the young players get game time now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are more motivated than the current squad members." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds Ibragim. "He learned everything faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym. In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout. "I would 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 growing up." "Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day. However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I had 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 speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."