The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

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

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

"We always comment, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

But, reality now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is seen as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze everything out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent every one 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 Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a rich tradition in wrestling, excelling in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my little brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own 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 little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

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

"They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

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

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the first team when he achieved this 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 need to allow all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred 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 like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were young."

"Today, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

But that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of representing United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

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

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