🔗 Share this article Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United. Ibragim Ibragimov started his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete remarks. "We frequently say, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional 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. But, reality now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league. His siblings have taken a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team. "Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," says Ibragim. "I hope them to play for all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team." From Wrestlers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years. The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, though, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk. "When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim. "So we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a great deal." "Many of the footballers he faces don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys five years older. He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, 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 faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and selected him straight away." Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to let all the youthful players play right now." "I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is talented," adds Ibragim. "He learned everything quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team. 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 says. "He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were growing up." "Today, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside 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 someday. However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the historic 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 says. "Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a dream come true." "A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."
Ibragim Ibragimov started his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete remarks. "We frequently say, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional 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. But, reality now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league. His siblings have taken a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team. "Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," says Ibragim. "I hope them to play for all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team." From Wrestlers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years. The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, though, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk. "When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim. "So we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a great deal." "Many of the footballers he faces don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys five years older. He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, 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 faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and selected him straight away." Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to let all the youthful players play right now." "I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is talented," adds Ibragim. "He learned everything quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team. 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 says. "He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were growing up." "Today, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside 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 someday. However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the historic 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 says. "Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a dream come true." "A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."