Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

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

The 21-year-old left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his brothers.

The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before joining one of the country's universities.

But, reality has turned out slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have taken a separate path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the senior squad.

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

"I hope them to play for all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

From Grapplers to Soccer Talents

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

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost 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 strong, firstly to defend ourselves, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – due to 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 five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him straight away."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the youthful players play now."

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

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new 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 honing his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

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

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

But that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."

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