The Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and with Man Utd.

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

"I am fond of it here," the PFL competitor declares.

"We often comment, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his brothers.

The original idea 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 colleges.

But, reality has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His brothers have chosen a separate route in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the first team.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The region has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history 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.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to let all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

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

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

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

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

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

"I never have imagined I would be learning 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 sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and stepping 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 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 discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."