Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL star states.

"We frequently remark, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised better 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 enrolling in one of the country's universities.

But, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

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

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

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Many of the players he comes up against lack the identical base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only 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 unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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

"Know what he told 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 play right now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I think the young guys are more motivated than the current first-team players."

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

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

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

'The Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

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

"Today, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

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

But that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of representing United and stepping 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 recalls.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like 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 could make it happen. It would be enormous."