Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

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

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor remarks.

"My father and I often comment, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

But, life now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the leading 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 place in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

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

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

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

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Some of the footballers he faces don't have the same base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

Amir was recruited, together 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 became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and picked him straight away."

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should allow all the young players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

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

"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a good 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 now moved to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

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

"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 titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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