Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he considers how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League star remarks.

"We always remark, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better career opportunities for him and his siblings.

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 colleges.

But, life now looks quite different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His siblings have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

"The main thing for us is to squeeze everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I want them to play for every one of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team."

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

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

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands 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 benefited my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the current squad members."

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

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

"He picked up every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC title fight.

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

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

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

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

But that does not prevent him from occasionally 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 always 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 dream come true."

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