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

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete states.

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

The 21-year-old left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional prospects for him and his brothers.

The original idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before joining one of the nation's colleges.

But, reality has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different route in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the senior squad.

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

"I desire them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

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

The area has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone 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 assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers grouped 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 background in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became 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 belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned everything faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new 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 honing 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 late-year UFC title fight.

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

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

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

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized."

"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 make it happen. It would be enormous."