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

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

"I love it here," the PFL athlete remarks.

"My father and I frequently comment, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career prospects for him and his brothers.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before enrolling in one of the nation's universities.

But, life now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is regarded as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a different route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

"The main thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

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

The area has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he comes up against lack the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him straight away."

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

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

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present 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 the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities 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 November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop 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 with legendary players," he recalls.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."