Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"My father and I often say, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

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

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

But, reality now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a rich tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This success is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers grouped him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable 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 signed, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after signing for 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 scored a spectacular free-kick," says Ibragim.

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

Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred 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 like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of representing 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 goals with legendary players," he recalls.

"Now, 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 speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be massive."