Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he considers how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.
"I love it here," the PFL star remarks.
"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 North Caucasus 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 plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before joining one of the country's universities.
But, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov family.
Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is seen as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.
His siblings have chosen a separate route in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the senior squad.
"The primary goal for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," says Ibragim.
"I hope them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."
Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies
Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.
The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.
This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.
"When I was young, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.
"Therefore we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."
"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a great deal."
"Some of the players he faces lack the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."
Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches placed him with boys significantly older.
He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.
"They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.
Amir was recruited, along with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.
The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.
"They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.
"One of their talent spotters watched him play and picked him immediately."
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 history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.
"Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.
"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to let all the youthful players get game time now."
"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."
Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.
"Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds Ibragim.
"He learned every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."
'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford
Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym.
In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.
"I would 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 young."
"Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."
Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.
But that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing 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 goals with legendary players," he recalls.
"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."
"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be enormous."
