Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I love it here," the PFL star states.

"My father and I always say, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles offered better career prospects for him and his siblings.

The initial idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish their education before enrolling in one of the country's universities.

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different route in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to extract the maximum from our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among fight fans for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the players he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," remarks Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after signing for the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to allow all the youthful players play right now."

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

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

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

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

'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening 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 November UFC title fight.

"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 young."

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

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."