The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his clan's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor remarks.

"My father and I frequently say, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional prospects for him and his brothers.

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the top talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different path in athletics 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 the maximum out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent all of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a rich history in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, though, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Many 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 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 significantly older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

"They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir netted a spectacular free-kick," says 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 became one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should let all the young players play now."

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

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

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

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

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

"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 training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

But that does not prevent him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the historic 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.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be massive."