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

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

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

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects 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 country's universities.

But, life has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

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

"The main goal for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I desire them to play for every one of the best teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team."

From Grapplers to Football Talents

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

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

This achievement is no accident, however, as children from the region are often pushed to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"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 family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why people knows 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 helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the players he faces lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Six 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 history to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," 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 now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the young guys are more motivated 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 talented," adds Ibragim.

"He learned everything faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

"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."

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

Fresh from training with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like a dream come true."

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be massive."