Those Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete states.

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

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better career prospects for him and his brothers.

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

But, reality now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His siblings have chosen a different path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a host of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long history in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

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

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

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really driven – due to 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 more than comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after signing for 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 spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

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

Six 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 history to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the young players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

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

'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA skills at a local gym.

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

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking 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 legendary players," he says.

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

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