The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

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

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

"We frequently say, 'this is the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised 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 their education before joining one of the nation's colleges.

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

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a different path in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the first team.

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

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

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

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

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

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why people knows 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 great deal."

"Many of the footballers he faces lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

Amir was signed, 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 ability and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining 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 said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate 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 historic 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 legendary players," 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 ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be enormous."