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

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I adore it here," the PFL competitor remarks.

"We frequently comment, 'this was the nation I ought to 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 superior professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before enrolling in one of the country's universities.

However, life now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His siblings have taken a separate path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad.

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

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, 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," states 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 very good wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They believed 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 brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

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

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

"Gazik, this kid is talented," adds Ibragim.

"He picked up everything quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends 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 learning 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 states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

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

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

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."