Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.
"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.
"My father and I frequently comment, 'this is 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 relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities 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 joining one of the nation's universities.
However, life has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.
Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.
His siblings have taken a different path in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the first team.
"The main goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," says Ibragim.
"I hope them to represent all of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."
From Grapplers to Soccer Talents
Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.
The region has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.
This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.
"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.
"So we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."
"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a great deal."
"Some of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful 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 five years older.
He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable 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 signed, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.
The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.
"They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.
"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him straight away."
Half a dozen years after joining 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.
"Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.
"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the young players get game time right now."
"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the present first-team players."
Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.
"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.
"He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."
'A Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams
Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates 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, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.
"I never have imagined I would be learning 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."
Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.
However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.
"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.
"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."
"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be massive."
