Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

"My father and I often remark, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete school before joining one of the country's universities.

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

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the first team.

"The primary thing 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. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

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

This success is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost 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 protect ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

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

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful 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.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the youthful players play now."

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

Since then, 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," continues Ibragim.

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Recently training 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 occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

"Today, 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 could do it. It would be huge."