The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and with Man Utd.

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

"I am fond of it here," the PFL star states.

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

The young man left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles offered better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before enrolling in one of the nation's universities.

However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov family.

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

His brothers have chosen a different route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

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

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for generating a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and which is why people 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 lot."

"Many of the players he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, 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 placed him with boys five years older.

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

"They believed 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 clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts saw 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 youngest players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

"He picked up every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

"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 look up to him when we were young."

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

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise 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 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 goals with legendary players," he recalls.

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

"An event 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 huge."