🔗 Share this article The Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United. Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he considers how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete states. "My father and I frequently comment, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his brothers. The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before enrolling in one of the nation's colleges. But, reality has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league. His siblings have chosen a separate path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team. "The main thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim. "I hope them to represent all of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team." From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, featuring Amir (left), have been joined Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years. The area has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners. This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand. "When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "So we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a lot." "Some of the players he faces lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly competitive – because of 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 mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim. Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result. "They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their scouts watched him play and picked him immediately." Half a dozen 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 records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now." "In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current squad members." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," continues Ibragim. "He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team. In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout. "I never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday. But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and walking 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 Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," 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 dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."
Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he considers how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete states. "My father and I frequently comment, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his brothers. The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before enrolling in one of the nation's colleges. But, reality has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league. His siblings have chosen a separate path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team. "The main thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim. "I hope them to represent all of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team." From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, featuring Amir (left), have been joined Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years. The area has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners. This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand. "When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "So we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a lot." "Some of the players he faces lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly competitive – because of 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 mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim. Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result. "They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their scouts watched him play and picked him immediately." Half a dozen 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 records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now." "In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current squad members." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," continues Ibragim. "He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team. In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout. "I never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday. But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and walking 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 Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," 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 dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."