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

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he considers how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

"We frequently comment, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional prospects for him and his siblings.

The original plan 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 universities.

However, reality now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a separate route in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the senior squad.

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

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

From Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among fight fans for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used 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; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

"They thought 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 time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked 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 train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the youthful players play right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym.

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

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

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

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking 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 Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be massive."