Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL athlete declares.

"We often comment, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised 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, life has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have taken a separate route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to extract everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

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

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited 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 stocky, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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

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

"He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a good 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 relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent him from sometimes dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I always 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 dream come true."

"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."