Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete declares.

"My father and I often comment, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The original idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before enrolling in one of the country's colleges.

However, life now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is regarded as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have taken a separate route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the first team.

"Our key thing for us is to extract the maximum out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight fans for producing a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

Amir was recruited, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and selected him straight away."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"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 current starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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 picked up everything quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

"I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were young."

"Now, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes 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 constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he recalls.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a dream come true."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."