The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL athlete declares.

"My father and I often comment, 'this was the nation 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 superior professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

But, reality now looks quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have chosen a separate route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the first team.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Talents

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

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"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 companions," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can observe the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it assisted my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the footballers he comes up against lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – due to 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 mistake and was more than comfortable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining 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.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to allow all the youthful players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the present first-team players."

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 learned everything quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days perfecting his MMA abilities at a local gym.

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

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

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

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

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

But that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed 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 recalls.

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

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