The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.

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

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional prospects for him and his siblings.

The original idea 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.

But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a separate route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged 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 needed to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he comes up against lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after joining 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 tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick," says Ibragim.

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him immediately."

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

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should let all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the present first-team players."

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

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

"He learned everything quicker than everyone else. He's a solid 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 moved to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at a local gym.

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

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were growing up."

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

Recently training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

However 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 owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring 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 goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be huge."