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

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he considers how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"My father and I always remark, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is regarded as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

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

"The primary goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

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

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin 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 powerful, first to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, 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 tournament and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

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

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 practice with the first team when he did so 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 allow all the young players play now."

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

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 youngster is talented," continues Ibragim.

"He picked up everything quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

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

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

"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 sparring alongside Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

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

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always 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 dream come true."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."