The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and at Manchester United.

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

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

"We always remark, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities 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 has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

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

"The main goal for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a rich history in wrestling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to protect ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Many of the players he comes up against don't have the identical base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers 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 because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and selected him straight away."

Six 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 records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the young 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 current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned everything quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and spends most of his days honing his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

"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."

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

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

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring 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 speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be enormous."