Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

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

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

"My father and I always say, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better career prospects for him and his brothers.

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a separate route in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I want them to play for every one of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight fans for generating a host of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

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

"As a young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect ourselves, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

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

"Many of the players he comes up against don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers grouped him with boys significantly older.

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

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Half a dozen 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 records to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are more motivated than the present first-team players."

Since then, 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 talented," adds Ibragim.

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

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at a local gym.

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

"I would never have thought 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 growing up."

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with 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 someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," 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 ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."