🔗 Share this article The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Man Utd. Ibragim Ibragimov began his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states. "My father and I often comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'" The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better career prospects for him and his siblings. The initial idea 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, life has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league. His siblings have taken a different route in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the first team. "The primary goal for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim. "I desire them to play for all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team." From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The region has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners. This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, 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 yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim. "So we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a lot." "Many of the players he comes up against lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers grouped him with boys five years older. He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling. "They believed 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 short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently. "They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says 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 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 told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the current squad members." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," adds Ibragim. "He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' to Fight 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 dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team. In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year 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 always used to idolize him when we were growing up." "Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday. However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of representing United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers. "I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 fantasy realized." "A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."
Ibragim Ibragimov began his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states. "My father and I often comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'" The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better career prospects for him and his siblings. The initial idea 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, life has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league. His siblings have taken a different route in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the first team. "The primary goal for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim. "I desire them to play for all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team." From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The region has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners. This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, 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 yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim. "So we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a lot." "Many of the players he comes up against lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers grouped him with boys five years older. He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling. "They believed 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 short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently. "They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says 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 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 told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time now." "In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the current squad members." Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," adds Ibragim. "He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' to Fight 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 dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team. In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year 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 always used to idolize him when we were growing up." "Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday. However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of representing United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers. "I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 fantasy realized." "A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."