Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Man Utd.

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

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor declares.

"We always comment, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

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

"The main goal for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

"When I was young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," 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 very good wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he comes up against lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him immediately."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November 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 growing up."

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

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

But that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they would do it. It would be huge."