Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I adore it here," the PFL competitor declares.

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

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

But, life has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different path in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the senior squad.

"The main thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a great deal."

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

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him straight away."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise made the move 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 similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates 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, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we constantly used to look up to him when we were growing up."

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

But that does not prevent him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he recalls.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."