Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

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

The young man left his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better career prospects for him and his brothers.

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a separate route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the first team.

"The main goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The region has a rich tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to fighting, and which is why everyone knows 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 younger brothers a great deal."

"Some of the footballers he comes up against lack the same base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and really driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers grouped him with boys five years older.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he told me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the youthful players play now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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

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

"He picked up every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting 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 greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were young."

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

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

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

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

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

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