The Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins 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.

"We frequently remark, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional prospects for him and his siblings.

The initial idea 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 colleges.

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

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

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the players he faces don't have the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the youthful players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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

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

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

'A Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

"I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.

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

"Now, 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 eager to claim a world title of his own someday.

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

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."