The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I love it here," the PFL athlete states.

"My father and I frequently comment, '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 believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

But, reality now looks quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different route in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for all of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team."

From Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically 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 defend yourself, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and selected him straight away."

Half a dozen 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 senior side when he achieved this 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 allow all the young players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this kid is talented," continues Ibragim.

"He picked up every skill quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to 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 no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be enormous."