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

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League star declares.

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

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

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 has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a separate route in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the senior squad.

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

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

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

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

This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

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

"Many of the players he faces lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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

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

"He learned everything faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym.

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

"I would never have imagined 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 growing up."

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

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

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

"I had a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he recalls.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a fantasy realized."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."