🔗 Share this article The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd. Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his professional MMA journey in 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017. "I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor declares. "My father and I often say, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'" The young man left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better career prospects 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 universities. However, life has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league. His brothers have taken a different route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad. "Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim. "I desire them to represent every one of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team." Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, featuring Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years. The region has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "As a young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim. "Therefore we all got used to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my little brothers a lot." "Some of the players he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older. He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was recruited, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently. "They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir netted a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and selected him immediately." Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the young players play right now." "I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are more motivated than the current first-team players." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," continues Ibragim. "He learned everything quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' 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 relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym. In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout. "I never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says. "He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were young." "Now, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day. However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers. "I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls. "Now, 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 could do it. It would be massive."
Ibragim Ibragimov embarked on his professional MMA journey in 2021. Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017. "I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor declares. "My father and I often say, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'" The young man left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better career prospects 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 universities. However, life has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family. Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league. His brothers have taken a different route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad. "Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim. "I desire them to represent every one of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team." Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies Three of Ibragim's siblings, featuring Amir (left), have been signed by Manchester United. Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years. The region has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners. This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand. "As a young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim. "Therefore we all got used to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise." "Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my little brothers a lot." "Some of the players he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling." Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older. He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling. "They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim. Amir was recruited, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad. The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently. "They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir netted a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim. "One of their talent spotters saw him play and selected him immediately." Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023. "Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals. "Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the young players play right now." "I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are more motivated than the current first-team players." Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United. "Gazik, this kid is gifted," continues Ibragim. "He learned everything quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United." 'A Dream' 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 relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym. In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout. "I never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says. "He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were young." "Now, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev." Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day. However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers. "I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls. "Now, 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 could do it. It would be massive."