Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete states.

"My father and I frequently remark, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior professional prospects for him and his brothers.

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

However, life has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is seen as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

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

The region has a long history in grappling, thriving in the sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

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

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

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

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should let all the youthful players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players."

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

"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA skills 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 November UFC title fight.

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

"He was the greatest 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 training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing 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 goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

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

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