The Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

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

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star declares.

"We often remark, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before joining one of the country's universities.

But, reality has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different route in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I desire them to play for every one of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among fight fans for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This success is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

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

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

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

"Some of the players he faces don't have the identical base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to 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 thanks to his experience in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

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

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

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

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

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the young guys are more motivated than the present first-team players."

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

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

"He learned 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 Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

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

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

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

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.

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

"I owned 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 dream come true."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."