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

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

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor remarks.

"My father and I frequently say, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

However, life has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the first team.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long history in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, however, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

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

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my younger brothers a lot."

"Many of the players he faces lack the same base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of 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 significantly older.

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

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

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

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

"They played 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 records 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 belong'," Ibragim says.

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the present first-team players."

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

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

"He learned everything quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

"I would 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 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 unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping 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 with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like 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 could make it happen. It would be enormous."