The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I am fond of it here," the PFL star declares.

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

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide better career opportunities for him and his brothers.

The original idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete school before joining one of the country's colleges.

However, life has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have taken a separate route in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I want them to represent every one of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

From Grapplers to Football Talents

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

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him immediately."

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

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were young."

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

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

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

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 like a fantasy realized."

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