Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I love it here," the PFL athlete remarks.

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

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

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

His brothers have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for 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 scored a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim.

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected 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 practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the young players get game time now."

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

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this youngster is talented," continues Ibragim.

"He picked up every skill faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now 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, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were growing up."

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

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

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of representing United and walking 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 Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

"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 do it. It would be huge."