The Brothers from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

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

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior professional prospects for him and his brothers.

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 nation's universities.

But, life has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is seen 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 pushing for a position in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to extract the maximum from our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

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

"Therefore we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him immediately."

Half a dozen 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 records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to let all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the present squad members."

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

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

"He picked up everything faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 fantasy realized."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be enormous."