The Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

"We often comment, 'this was 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 relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better 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 complete school before enrolling in one of the country's universities.

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

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

His siblings have chosen a separate path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a spot in the first team.

"The primary goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Grapplers to Football Talents

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The region has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

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

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why people 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 assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked him straight away."

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the youthful players play right now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the current squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise made the move to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds 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."

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

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

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

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

But that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing 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 goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

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