The Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star declares.

"We often comment, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a move covering more than 3,000 miles offered superior professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

But, reality has turned out quite distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His brothers have taken a different route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to squeeze the maximum out of our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a slew of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a rich history in wrestling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

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

"So we all got used to fighting, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my younger brothers a lot."

"Many of the players he faces don't have the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he moved over the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should allow all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current first-team players. I think the youngsters 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 kid is gifted," continues Ibragim.

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

'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA skills at a local gym.

In August, he passed three weeks in his homeland at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

"I never have thought I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

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

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

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

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

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