The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star states.

"We always remark, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before joining one of the nation's colleges.

But, reality has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim.

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

"They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

"One of their scouts watched 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 youngest players in the club's history to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the young players play now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.

"He learned everything 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 Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

"I never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to 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 states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he recalls.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."