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

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL athlete declares.

"We always say, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to extract everything from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

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

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

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

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my younger brothers a lot."

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

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just 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 tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

"One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"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? 100%. They should let all the youthful players play now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this kid is gifted," continues Ibragim.

"He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

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

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

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

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

Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always 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 similar to a dream come true."

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