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

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete declares.

"We always remark, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial 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 universities.

However, reality has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is seen as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

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

"Our key thing for us is to extract everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a host of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the players he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

"One of their talent spotters saw him play and selected him immediately."

Half a dozen years after signing for 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 first team 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? Without a doubt. They should let all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved 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 title fight.

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

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

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

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

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

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," 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 could do it. It would be massive."