The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he thinks about how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

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

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

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised superior career opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a separate route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the first team.

"The primary thing for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC champions in the past few years.

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

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, first to defend ourselves, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and which is why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

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 first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to let all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

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

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to him when we were young."

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

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

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

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

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be huge."