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

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

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

The 21-year-old left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better 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 finish their education before joining one of the nation's universities.

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

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is seen as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His siblings have chosen a different path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the first team.

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

"I desire them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it might be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The region has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world champions.

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 stand.

"As a young, my dad was constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly 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 not intimidated by the mistake and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, so the story goes," says Ibragim.

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

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

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

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

Six 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.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up everything faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also relocated 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, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

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

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

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

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

But that does not prevent him from occasionally fantasizing of representing United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

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

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

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