Those Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League star remarks.

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his brothers.

The initial plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before joining one of the nation's universities.

But, life has turned out quite different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

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

"The main goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," says Ibragim.

"I want 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 Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among fight enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger 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 knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older.

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

"They thought 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 brief, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and selected him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to train with the first team 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? Without a doubt. They need to let all the young players play right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

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

'The Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

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

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

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we always used to idolize him when we were growing up."

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

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

However that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing 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 says.

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

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