Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

"My father and I always comment, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better 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 complete their education before joining one of the nation's universities.

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is regarded as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, however, as children from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to protect ourselves, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the footballers he comes up against don't have the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," 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 signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

"They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a brilliant 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 practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the youthful players play right now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the young guys are more motivated than the current squad members."

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

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

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

But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the historic 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 says.

"Today, 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 massive."