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

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile 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 PFL competitor declares.

"We frequently say, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

But, life now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a separate route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to extract the maximum from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I want them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

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

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

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the footballers he faces don't have the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he achieved this 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? Without a doubt. They need to let all the young players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC title fight.

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

"He was the best 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."

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.

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

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

"Now, 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 discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."