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

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL star states.

"My father and I often say, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities 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.

But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family.

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

His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

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

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers grouped him with boys significantly older.

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

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

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

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

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

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

Six years after joining 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 senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

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

"A fight 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 massive."