The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on 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 athlete remarks.

"We always comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his brothers.

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 nation's universities.

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

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

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

"The main goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

From Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long history in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

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

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's stay 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 as a result.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately."

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 records to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

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

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

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

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

"He picked up everything quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym.

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

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

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

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

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day.

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

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

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."

"A fight 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 enormous."