The Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete declares.

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

The young man left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior 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 joining one of the country's colleges.

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

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

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

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

"I want them to represent every one of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a rich tradition in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my little brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

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

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Can he 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 worse than the current first-team players. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Recently working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming 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.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be huge."