🔗 Share this article Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United. Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his professional MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete remarks. "My father and I always say, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better career prospects for him and his siblings. 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 has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization. His brothers have taken a separate route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team. "Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team." Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The region has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions. This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk. "As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my little brothers a lot." "Some of the players he faces lack the identical 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 put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers placed him with boys five years older. He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was recruited, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently. "They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him straight away." Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should 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 hungrier than the present first-team players." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim. "He picked up everything faster than everyone else. He's a good 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 training with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at a local gym. In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight. "I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday. But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls. "Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized." "An event 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 embarked on his professional MMA career in the year 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago. "I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete remarks. "My father and I always say, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'" The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better career prospects for him and his siblings. 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 has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov household. Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization. His brothers have taken a separate route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team. "Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim. "I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team." Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Talents Three of Ibragim's brothers, including Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years. The region has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions. This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk. "As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim. "Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my little brothers a lot." "Some of the players he faces lack the identical 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 put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers placed him with boys five years older. He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling. "They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was recruited, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently. "They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him straight away." Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals. "Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should 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 hungrier than the present first-team players." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United. "Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim. "He picked up everything faster than everyone else. He's a good 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 training with the Nurmagomedov family – Usman (centre) and Khabib (right) in Dagestan. Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at a local gym. In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight. "I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits. "He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were young." "Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday. But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers. "I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls. "Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized." "An event 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."