The Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

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

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

The 21-year-old left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles offered better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

The original plan was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before joining one of the country's colleges.

However, life has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

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

"The primary goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it could be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed 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; obviously, it assisted my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he comes up against don't have the identical foundation 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 grouped him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here 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 young players play right now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

"Gazik, this youngster is talented," adds 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 Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he spent 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 imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

"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 training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is eager to claim a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of playing for 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 with legendary players," he recalls.

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."