The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the PFL competitor states.

"My father and I often say, 'this is the nation I ought to 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 better professional prospects for him and his brothers.

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

However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His brothers have chosen a different path in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team.

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

"I desire them to represent every one of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

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

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, as children from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was young, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

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

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their scouts saw him play and selected him immediately."

Six years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the present squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

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

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

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

But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be huge."