The Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete states.

"My father and I frequently comment, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

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

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

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

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

The area has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

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

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

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters 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 records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the youthful players play right now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are more motivated than the present first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid 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 also relocated to Manchester and dedicates 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, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready 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 constantly used to look up to him when we were young."

"Now, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he says.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a dream come true."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."