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

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his clan's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL star remarks.

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

The young man departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

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

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

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

"Our key goal 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, in the future it could be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often pushed to take up combat sports, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

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

"So we all got used to combat, and that's why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he faces don't have the same base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, trainers grouped him with boys significantly older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after joining 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 netted a brilliant free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

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

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

"Do you know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They need to let all the young players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He learned every skill faster than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

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

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

"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 working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim says he is desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from occasionally fantasizing of playing for United and stepping 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 goals 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."

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