Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.

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

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the first team.

"Our key goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I desire them to play for all of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

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

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

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he comes up against lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was perfectly capable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and selected him immediately."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford 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 did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym.

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland 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 admits.

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

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

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

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping 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 goals with legendary players," he says.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."