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

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

"We often say, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered better career prospects for him and his brothers.

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 country's colleges.

However, reality now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is viewed as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different route in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

"The primary thing for us is to extract the maximum out of our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a rich history in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are frequently pushed to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, 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," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and which is why people understands 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; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"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 worse than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at a local gym.

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

"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."

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

Fresh from working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to claim a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of representing United and walking 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 goals with legendary players," he says.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a dream come true."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be massive."