The Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a separate route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

"I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the players he faces don't have the same base he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected 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 history to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here 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 now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

"I would never have thought I would be learning 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 training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing 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 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 similar to a fantasy realized."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be huge."