Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.
"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League star remarks.
"We always say, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"
The 21-year-old left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles offered superior professional opportunities for him and his siblings.
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 country's universities.
But, reality now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.
Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is seen as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.
His brothers have chosen a separate path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the first team.
"Our key goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.
"I want them to play for 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 Football Talents
Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.
The region has a long history in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.
This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.
"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to protect yourself, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.
"So we all got used to combat, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."
"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my little brothers a lot."
"Some of the players he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."
Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers grouped him with boys significantly older.
He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.
"They believed Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.
Amir was signed, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.
The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.
"They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.
"One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately."
Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was 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 said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.
"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the young players get game time right now."
"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current first-team players."
Following that, 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 gifted," continues Ibragim.
"He picked up every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."
'A Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams
Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening 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 November UFC title fight.
"I never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.
"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly 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 titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.
But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to 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 says.
"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized."
"A fight 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 enormous."
