Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete states.

"We always remark, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised better career prospects for him and his brothers.

The original 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.

But, life has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His siblings have taken a separate path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

"As a young, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a great deal."

"Some of the players he faces lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong 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 significantly older.

He was unfazed by the oversight 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 recruited, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent 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 talent spotters 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 most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the young players play right now."

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

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved 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, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year 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 constantly used to idolize 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 no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing 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 Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."