The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete declares.

"We often remark, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

But, reality now looks quite different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

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

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

Starting as Grapplers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a rich history in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

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

"When I was a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only 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 brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

"One of their scouts watched him play and selected him immediately."

Six years after signing for 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.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to let all the young players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the current first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current squad members."

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 gifted," adds Ibragim.

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

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

"Now, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed 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 Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."