The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

"We always remark, '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 spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional prospects for him and his brothers.

The original idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before joining one of the nation's universities.

But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have taken a different route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the senior squad.

"The primary thing for us is to extract the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I desire them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a slew of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he comes up against lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

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

"They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," says 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 most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the present first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at a local gym.

In August, he spent 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 imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from occasionally 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 says.

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

"An event 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 enormous."