I’m an MMA star with three brothers at Manchester United – but next PFL fight will boost my own Old Trafford dream
Ibragim Ibragimov returns to action in the New Year – and it could lead to his Theatre of Dreams wish coming true. The 20-year-old will face Ireland’s Kenny ‘Black Diamond’ Mokhonoana on January 25 at PFL’s Champions Series Dubai. Ibragimov is unbeaten in professional MMAPFL And the 20-year-old wants to fight at Old Trafford one dayPFL The featherweight main card fight features on a card headlined by Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov, with that bout being dubbed as Dagestan v Ireland II. It is the PFL’s first-ever card to take place in Dubai as the main event circumstances scarily resemble those of Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018. MMA fans were quick to react to the original main event announcement at the time and deemed the headline act ‘Khabib vs McGregor 2’. With Dagestani-born, Manchester raised Ibragimov against Mokhonoana, it’s another battle between the two countries. “At just 20-years-old Ibragim Ibragimov has amassed an impressive thirteen-fight [now 15] unbeaten streak, spanning his amateur and professional career,” former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy told talkSPORT in June. “Ibragimov hones his skills at the famed Manchester Top Team Academy, but fights with that signature Dagestani wrestling style. “Nicknamed ‘The Mauler’, Ibragimov lives up to his moniker in every sense of the word – closing opponents down with accurate and precise striking – and then wrestling them to the ground where he dominates from the top position with strikes and submission attempts.” Since then, Ibragimov has been successful in his first two PFL bouts, winning the first via a first round arm triangle choke and the second by unanimous decision. UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy is a teammate of his, and when he’s not with his Manchester team, Ibragimov trains with Nurmagomedov in his homeland of Dagestan. Ibragimov, who comes from a family of sport stars, has yet to lose in a single MMA bout to date. Ibragimov will face Ireland’s Mokhonoana on January 25 He is one of the most exciting prospects in MMA One of the most fascinating aspects of his story is the bloodline of successors who follow in his footsteps as fellow athletes. Ibragimov’s brothers Amir, 16, Gazik, 15, and Muhammad, 12, are all products of Manchester United’s youth team. The Daily Mail even claimed last month that academy starlet Amir had caught the eye of newly appointed head coach Ruben Amorim. They said he was ‘among the first academy starlets’ to speak with Amorim, and got his attention following an impressive performance for the U21s. Amir scored the winning goal for England’s U16s against Italy in April and has rubbed shoulders with United’s legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Gazik has captained United’s U14s to trophies – playing alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo’s sons. Amir has received advice from Sir Alex FegursonGazik_ibra4 on Instagram Gazik [middle] plays with Wanye Rooney’s son, Kai [right]Gazik_ibra4 on Instagram Both Gazik and big brother Ibragimov stay in touch with Cristiano Jr, who plays for Al-Nassr’s youth team in Saudi Arabia. Ibragimov will have no doubt that he can extend his undefeated pro MMA record come January 25 in Dubai. He cites his father as one of the biggest driving factors behind his competitiveness, and dreams of bringing the PFL to Old Trafford one day. “My brother has been training with the first team so hopefully next year he can play for them [Man United],” Ibragimov told The Mirror in October. “Both my other brothers play for Manchester United as well and they will make it too. I believe in them, and maybe in the future we can bring the PFL to Old Trafford and make a great show. “But my dad is the best athlete, that’s why we are here, that’s why we are so competitive in my family, the genes from my dad. “He didn’t make it to whatever he wanted to do but he has done a lot for us. We are all where we are because of him. “I had trials too, I had a trial at Man City, but it was a bit too late for me to make it, so my brothers are there and I’m here. It’s a big opportunity for all of us.” Mokhonoana, Ibragimov’s opponent, is 5-1 in professional MMA, but fresh off a loss in September 2023. He was defeated by Josh O’Connor at Bellator 299, where he lost his unbeaten streak, in what was Mokhonoana’s last octagon appearance to date. Expect Ibragimov to utilise the wrestling skills he possesses to take his Irish counterpart to the mat and submit him early doors. The PFL also announced on Thursday that Nathan Kelly will face Khasan Magomedsharipov in another Ireland vs Dagestan bout on the card.
Ibragim Ibragimov returns to action in the New Year – and it could lead to his Theatre of Dreams wish coming true.
The 20-year-old will face Ireland’s Kenny ‘Black Diamond’ Mokhonoana on January 25 at PFL’s Champions Series Dubai.
The featherweight main card fight features on a card headlined by Paul Hughes vs Usman Nurmagomedov, with that bout being dubbed as Dagestan v Ireland II.
It is the PFL’s first-ever card to take place in Dubai as the main event circumstances scarily resemble those of Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
MMA fans were quick to react to the original main event announcement at the time and deemed the headline act ‘Khabib vs McGregor 2’.
With Dagestani-born, Manchester raised Ibragimov against Mokhonoana, it’s another battle between the two countries.
“At just 20-years-old Ibragim Ibragimov has amassed an impressive thirteen-fight [now 15] unbeaten streak, spanning his amateur and professional career,” former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy told talkSPORT in June.
“Ibragimov hones his skills at the famed Manchester Top Team Academy, but fights with that signature Dagestani wrestling style.
“Nicknamed ‘The Mauler’, Ibragimov lives up to his moniker in every sense of the word – closing opponents down with accurate and precise striking – and then wrestling them to the ground where he dominates from the top position with strikes and submission attempts.”
Since then, Ibragimov has been successful in his first two PFL bouts, winning the first via a first round arm triangle choke and the second by unanimous decision.
UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy is a teammate of his, and when he’s not with his Manchester team, Ibragimov trains with Nurmagomedov in his homeland of Dagestan.
Ibragimov, who comes from a family of sport stars, has yet to lose in a single MMA bout to date.
One of the most fascinating aspects of his story is the bloodline of successors who follow in his footsteps as fellow athletes.
Ibragimov’s brothers Amir, 16, Gazik, 15, and Muhammad, 12, are all products of Manchester United’s youth team.
The Daily Mail even claimed last month that academy starlet Amir had caught the eye of newly appointed head coach Ruben Amorim.
They said he was ‘among the first academy starlets’ to speak with Amorim, and got his attention following an impressive performance for the U21s.
Amir scored the winning goal for England’s U16s against Italy in April and has rubbed shoulders with United’s legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Gazik has captained United’s U14s to trophies – playing alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo’s sons.
Both Gazik and big brother Ibragimov stay in touch with Cristiano Jr, who plays for Al-Nassr’s youth team in Saudi Arabia.
Ibragimov will have no doubt that he can extend his undefeated pro MMA record come January 25 in Dubai.
He cites his father as one of the biggest driving factors behind his competitiveness, and dreams of bringing the PFL to Old Trafford one day.
“My brother has been training with the first team so hopefully next year he can play for them [Man United],” Ibragimov told The Mirror in October.
“Both my other brothers play for Manchester United as well and they will make it too. I believe in them, and maybe in the future we can bring the PFL to Old Trafford and make a great show.
“But my dad is the best athlete, that’s why we are here, that’s why we are so competitive in my family, the genes from my dad.
“He didn’t make it to whatever he wanted to do but he has done a lot for us. We are all where we are because of him.
“I had trials too, I had a trial at Man City, but it was a bit too late for me to make it, so my brothers are there and I’m here. It’s a big opportunity for all of us.”
Mokhonoana, Ibragimov’s opponent, is 5-1 in professional MMA, but fresh off a loss in September 2023.
He was defeated by Josh O’Connor at Bellator 299, where he lost his unbeaten streak, in what was Mokhonoana’s last octagon appearance to date.
Expect Ibragimov to utilise the wrestling skills he possesses to take his Irish counterpart to the mat and submit him early doors.
The PFL also announced on Thursday that Nathan Kelly will face Khasan Magomedsharipov in another Ireland vs Dagestan bout on the card.
