The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor remarks.

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

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

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

But, reality has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the first team.

"Our key thing for us is to extract everything out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight fans for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and that's 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; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful 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, trainers grouped him with boys significantly older.

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

"They believed Amir and I were the same age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now."

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

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

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

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

'The 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 Manchester Top Team.

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the best 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."

Fresh from 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.

But that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping 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 with legendary players," he says.

"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 dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."