Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL star declares.

"My father and I frequently comment, 'this was 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 move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better 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 joining one of the nation's universities.

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

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

His brothers have taken a separate path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the first team.

"Our key goal for us is to extract the maximum from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long history in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

"When I was young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, 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 real age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older.

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

"They believed Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

"They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," recalls 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 was one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the current starters. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the greatest 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."

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had 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 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 massive."