The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL competitor declares.

"We frequently remark, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before enrolling in one of the country's colleges.

However, reality now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

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

His brothers have taken a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I want them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team."

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

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 walk.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

"They faced Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the youthful players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now moved 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 prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

"I never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

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

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

Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," 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 speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."