The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"My father and I often remark, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

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

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a separate route in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for every one of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly 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 strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore 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 see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches 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 believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," 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 joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters saw 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 youngest players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the young players get game time right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present 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 youngster is gifted," continues Ibragim.

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

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities 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 November UFC title fight.

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

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

"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 occasionally dreaming of representing United and walking 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 with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," 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 ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."