The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

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

"I love 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 homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

However, life has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His siblings have taken a separate path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the first team.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze the maximum from our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I want them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

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

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should allow all the youthful players play right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year 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 young."

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

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

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the historic 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 says.

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."