Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

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

"I adore it here," the PFL star states.

"We always say, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete school before enrolling in one of the country's universities.

However, reality has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I want them to play for every one of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among fight enthusiasts for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a lot."

"Many of the players he faces lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – 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, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and selected him immediately."

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at a local gym.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

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

However that does not prevent him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

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

"A fight 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 massive."