Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

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

"I am fond of it here," the PFL star declares.

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

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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, reality has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov family.

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

His siblings have taken a different route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to extract everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I want them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was just 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 oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his experience 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 family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only 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 brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

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

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was 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 said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the young players get game time now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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

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

"He picked up everything faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete 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 native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC title fight.

"I never have imagined 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 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 desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

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

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

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

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