The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"We always remark, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior professional 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 joining one of the nation's universities.

However, life now looks somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the first team.

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

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

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among fight fans for producing a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

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

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he faces lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to 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 significantly older.

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

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," 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 only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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 train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the youthful players play right now."

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

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He learned 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."

'A Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year 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 growing up."

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

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

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 owned a PlayStation at home and I always 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."

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