Those Brothers from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL competitor states.

"We frequently comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered better professional prospects 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 universities.

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is seen as one of the top talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

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

"The main goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable competing 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 younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just 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 scored a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him straight away."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"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? 100%. They should allow all the young players get game time right now."

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

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends 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, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

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

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

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

Recently training with two UFC titleholders 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 hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

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

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