The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor declares.

"My father and I always remark, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

The initial idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to finish school before joining one of the nation's colleges.

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

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is seen as one of the prime talents in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a separate path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the senior squad.

"The main goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," says 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 might be a another team."

From Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight fans for generating a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, however, as children from the region are frequently pushed to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your family, and your friends," states Ibragim.

"Therefore 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 excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my little brothers a great deal."

"Some of the players he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than comfortable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the first team when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should allow all the youthful players get game time now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the present squad members."

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

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a late-year UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

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

However that does not stop him from occasionally 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 always used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized."

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