Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.
"I love it here," the PFL athlete remarks.
"My father and I frequently remark, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"
The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.
The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before joining one of the nation's universities.
But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.
Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.
His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the senior squad.
"Our key goal for us is to extract everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.
"I hope them to play for all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."
Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies
Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years.
The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.
This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.
"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.
"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."
"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my younger brothers a lot."
"Many of the players he faces don't have the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."
Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.
He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.
"They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.
Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.
The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.
"They faced Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.
"One of their scouts watched him play and selected him immediately."
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 records to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.
"Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.
"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the young players play now."
"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."
Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.
"Gazik, this kid is talented," continues Ibragim.
"He picked up every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."
'A Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams
Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities 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 late-year UFC title fight.
"I would never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits.
"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to him when we were growing up."
"Today, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."
Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.
However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.
"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.
"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized."
"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."
