The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

"We often remark, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better career prospects 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 joining one of the country's universities.

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

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

His brothers have chosen a different route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a host of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

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

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the footballers he comes up against lack the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – 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, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him straight away."

Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This 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 worse than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to 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 unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for 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 similar to a fantasy realized."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."