The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

"My father and I often say, 'this was the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

But, reality has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the first team.

"Our key goal for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he comes up against lack the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history 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.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should allow all the young players get game time right now."

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

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

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

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

'A Goal' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also 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 native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

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

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

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

Fresh from training 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 prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

"Now, 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 discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be huge."