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 family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I love it here," the PFL star remarks.

"We 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 was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better professional prospects for him and his brothers.

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

However, reality has turned out slightly 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 major MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a separate route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to extract the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I desire them to play for every one of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the players he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

"They played Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

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

Six 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 history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the youthful players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the present first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill 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 the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

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

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were young."

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday.

But that does not prevent 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 recalls.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they would do it. It would be huge."