Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

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

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

"My father and I always remark, 'this is 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 relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before joining one of the nation's universities.

But, life now looks quite different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a separate path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

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

"I want them to play for every one of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team."

From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

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

The region has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

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

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the players he comes up against lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Half a dozen years after signing for 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 should be'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the young players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger 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 quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern 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 sharpening his MMA abilities 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 November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

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

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had 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 discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they would do it. It would be huge."