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

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

However, reality now looks quite distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is seen as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a different path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

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

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

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among combat sports fans for producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and selected him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated 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 talented," adds Ibragim.

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

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends 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 championship bout.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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 goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."