🔗 Share this article Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and at Man Utd. Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star declares. "My father and I always say, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his brothers. The initial idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before joining one of the country's universities. However, life now looks quite 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 league. His brothers have taken a different path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the senior squad. "The primary goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim. "I hope them to play for every one of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team." From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been joined Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions. This success is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "As a young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot." "Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older. He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," remarks Ibragim. Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently. "They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him immediately." Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the youthful players get game time right now." "I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present first-team players." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds Ibragim. "He picked up everything quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym. In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight. "I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the best 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 sparring alongside Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday. However that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls. "Today, 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 would do it. It would be enormous."
Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star declares. "My father and I always say, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his brothers. The initial idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before joining one of the country's universities. However, life now looks quite 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 league. His brothers have taken a different path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the senior squad. "The primary goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim. "I hope them to play for every one of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team." From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been joined Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions. This success is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "As a young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot." "Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older. He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," remarks Ibragim. Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently. "They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him immediately." Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the youthful players get game time right now." "I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present first-team players." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds Ibragim. "He picked up everything quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym. In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight. "I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the best 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 sparring alongside Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday. However that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls. "Today, 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 would do it. It would be enormous."