Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

"My father and I frequently remark, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide 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 complete school before enrolling in one of the nation's universities.

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

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

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

"I hope them to play for all of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team."

From Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical 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 style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

"They played Manchester United in a competition and Amir netted a brilliant 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 youngest players in the club's records to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think 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 made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC title fight.

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

"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 training with Islam Makhachev."

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

But that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

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