The Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL athlete declares.

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial idea 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, reality now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different route in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the senior squad.

"The main goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why people knows 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; obviously, it helped my younger brothers a lot."

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

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

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

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the young players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at a local gym.

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

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

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

"Today, 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 says he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

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

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