Those Brothers from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"My father and I frequently say, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

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

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His brothers have taken a separate path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and which is why people understands 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."

"Some of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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 practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players play now."

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

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

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

"He learned every skill quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC title fight.

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

"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 training with Islam Makhachev."

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

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 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 fantasy realized."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."