Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

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

The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles offered better career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

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

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

His brothers have chosen a separate route in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

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

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

From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, however, as children from the region are often pushed to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, trainers grouped him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I think 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 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 new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting 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 late-year UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like 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 like a fantasy realized."

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