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 in 2017.

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

"We often say, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

The initial plan 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 colleges.

But, life now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

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

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

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight fans for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why everyone 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 helped my little brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

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

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

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

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

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

"They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

"One of their scouts 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 became 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 told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the youthful players get game time right now."

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

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

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

"He picked up every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

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

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like 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 recalls.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."