The Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"We always comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior professional 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 joining one of the country's universities.

But, life has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His siblings have taken a separate path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I want them to represent all of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

From Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.

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

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

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a lot."

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

Amir was just 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 unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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 records to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the present squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were young."

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

Fresh from working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping 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 goals 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 ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be massive."