The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Man Utd.

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

"I am fond of it here," the PFL athlete remarks.

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

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

However, reality has turned out somewhat 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 major MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the senior squad.

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

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a rich history in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why everyone understands 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 helped my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – due to 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 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 identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

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

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and spends most of his days honing 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 late-year UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Fresh from working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and walking out on the historic 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 ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be enormous."