The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"My father and I often comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered 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 complete school before joining one of the nation's colleges.

But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His siblings have taken a different route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the first team.

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

"I hope them to play for every one of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team."

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The region has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to protect ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older.

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

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

"They played Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

"One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to let all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think 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 transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he spent three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC title fight.

"I never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.

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

"Now, I'm here in his gym and sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the historic 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 legendary players," he says.

"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 make it happen. It would be enormous."