Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Man Utd.

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

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

"We frequently comment, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

However, reality has turned out quite distinct 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 major MMA organization.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team.

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

"I desire them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are frequently pushed to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background 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 clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

"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."

Six years after joining the Manchester United 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.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

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

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

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this kid is gifted," 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."

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

"I never have imagined I would be training 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 champions 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 stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring 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 discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."