Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

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

"I adore it here," the PFL athlete states.

"My father and I often comment, 'this is the nation I should have been born in.'"

The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

But, reality now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the leading prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a position in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to extract everything out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight fans for producing a host of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo style and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he faces lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful 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, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the young players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.

"He learned everything faster 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 Compete at Old Trafford

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

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

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for 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 says.

"Today, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's like 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 would make it happen. It would be massive."