Those Brothers from Dagestan 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 transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star remarks.

"We frequently remark, 'this was 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 move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial plan 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.

However, reality has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His siblings have chosen a different path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

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

"I hope 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 Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among fight fans for producing a slew of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Many of the players he faces lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent 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 talent spotters watched him play and picked him straight away."

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

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the current starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger 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 every skill quicker than the others. He's a good 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 now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight.

"I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.

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

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

Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However 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 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.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be huge."