Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

"My father and I frequently say, 'this was 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 covering more than 3,000 miles offered better career opportunities for him and his brothers.

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 universities.

But, life has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is seen as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among combat sports fans for producing a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a rich history in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as children from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

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

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful 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 placed him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

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

"They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

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

Six 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 said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to let all the youthful players play now."

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

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

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

"He learned everything quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout.

"I never have imagined 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."

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

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

But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

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

"Today, 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 massive."