Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League star remarks.

"My father and I frequently say, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

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

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

But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a different path 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 everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for all of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

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

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

"They thought 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 family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

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

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 train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time right now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now moved 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 title fight.

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

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

"Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.

But that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of representing United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had 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 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 enormous."