Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

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

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

"We always say, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior professional opportunities 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 nation's colleges.

However, reality has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to squeeze everything out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Grapplers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

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

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters saw him play and selected him straight away."

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should allow all the young players get game time now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players."

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

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

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

'A Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym.

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize 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 unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent 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 with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to 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 could do it. It would be massive."