The Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"We often comment, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his brothers.

The original idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before joining one of the nation's universities.

However, life now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a separate route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

"I want them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight fans for generating a host of UFC titleholders in recent years.

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

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the players he comes up against lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to 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 family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

"They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I think the young guys are more motivated than the present squad members."

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

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

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

'The Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also 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 homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

"I never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim says.

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

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the historic 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 says.

"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 officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."