Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

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

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

"We frequently comment, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

The original idea 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.

However, reality now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

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

His siblings have taken a different path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the senior squad.

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

"I want them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for generating a host of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, though, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Some of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers grouped him with boys five years older.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Six 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 practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present first-team players."

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

"Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds Ibragim.

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

'A Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

"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 look up to him when we were growing up."

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

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

"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 speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be enormous."