The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL competitor remarks.

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

The young man left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior 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 school before joining one of the nation's colleges.

But, life has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov family.

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

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

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

"I want them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the players he faces lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the youthful players play right now."

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

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

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

"He picked up 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 Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved 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 title fight.

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

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

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

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

But that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed 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 legendary players," he says.

"Today, 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 officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be huge."