Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better career prospects for him and his brothers.

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a separate route in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family'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 transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Six 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 did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the young guys are more motivated 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," continues Ibragim.

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

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

"Today, 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 claim a world title of his own one day.

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of representing United and walking 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 goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be massive."