🔗 Share this article Those Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd. Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor declares. "We frequently comment, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering 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 complete school before joining one of the country's universities. However, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league. His siblings have chosen a separate path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team. "The primary thing for us is to extract everything from our sports," explains Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team." From Grapplers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years. The region has a long history in wrestling, excelling in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners. This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand. "As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my younger brothers a great deal." "Some of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and really driven – because of wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older. He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," 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 joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent 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 saw him play and selected him straight away." Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should allow all the youthful players play now." "I don't think 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 youngster is gifted," continues Ibragim. "He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been training with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting 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 championship bout. "I never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says. "He was the best 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." Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day. But that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he says. "Now, 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 guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be enormous."
Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his pro MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor declares. "We frequently comment, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'" The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering 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 complete school before joining one of the country's universities. However, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league. His siblings have chosen a separate path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team. "The primary thing for us is to extract everything from our sports," explains Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team." From Grapplers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's siblings, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years. The region has a long history in wrestling, excelling in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners. This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand. "As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my younger brothers a great deal." "Some of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and really driven – because of wrestling." Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older. He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," 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 joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent 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 saw him play and selected him straight away." Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should allow all the youthful players play now." "I don't think 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 youngster is gifted," continues Ibragim. "He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford Ibragimov has been training with the Nurmagomedovs – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting 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 championship bout. "I never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says. "He was the best 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." Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day. But that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he says. "Now, 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 guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be enormous."