Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL athlete states.

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

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

The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before enrolling in one of the nation's colleges.

However, life has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

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

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

"I hope them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

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

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable competing 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 younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him straight away."

Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to let all the young players play now."

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

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

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

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

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region 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 greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were growing up."

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

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to 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 goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."