The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

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

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial 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 colleges.

But, reality has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

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

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

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the same base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the young players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier 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 kid is gifted," continues Ibragim.

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

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates 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 get ready for a November UFC championship bout.

"I never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.

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

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with 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 one day.

However that does not stop him from occasionally 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 constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

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