The Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

"My father and I often remark, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his brothers.

The original 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.

But, life now looks quite different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a separate route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

"The primary thing for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I want them to represent every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

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

"As a young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why people understands 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 helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the identical base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.

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

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him straight away."

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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 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 young."

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be enormous."