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

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better 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 complete school before joining one of the country's universities.

However, life has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His siblings have taken a different 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 the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

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

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

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and that's 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."

"Many of the players he faces lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces 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 more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

Amir was recruited, together with Ibragim's little 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 moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," 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 worse than the existing starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' 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 native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were growing up."

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he says.

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

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