🔗 Share this article Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United. Ibragim Ibragimov began his professional MMA career in 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete remarks. "My father and I always say, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional 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 their education before enrolling in one of the nation's colleges. However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization. His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team. "The main thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim. "I hope them to represent every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team." Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been joined Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The region has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a great deal." "Some of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing 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 because of his experience in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim. Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after joining 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 netted a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him straight away." Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should let all the young players play now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is talented," adds Ibragim. "He picked up every skill faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team. In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout. "I would never have thought I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the best fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev." Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day. However that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking 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 with legendary players," he recalls. "Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true." "An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."
Ibragim Ibragimov began his professional MMA career in 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete remarks. "My father and I always say, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional 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 their education before enrolling in one of the nation's colleges. However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization. His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team. "The main thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim. "I hope them to represent every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team." Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been joined Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The region has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a great deal." "Some of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing 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 because of his experience in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim. Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after joining 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 netted a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him straight away." Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should let all the young players play now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is talented," adds Ibragim. "He picked up every skill faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams Ibragimov has been working out with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team. In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout. "I would never have thought I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the best fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev." Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day. However that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking 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 with legendary players," he recalls. "Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true." "An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."