Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete remarks.

"We frequently comment, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered 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 their education before joining one of the nation's universities.

But, reality has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different path in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I hope them to represent every one of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a long history in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, however, as children from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

"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 players he faces don't have the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts 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 train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up 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 Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

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

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of playing for 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 legendary players," 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 ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."