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

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he considers how his family's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

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

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior career opportunities for him and his siblings.

The original idea 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 colleges.

However, life now looks quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is regarded as one of the top talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His brothers have chosen a separate path in sport and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to extract the maximum from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

From Grapplers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a rich tradition in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

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

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he comes up against lack the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – 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 comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's talent and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters saw him play and picked him immediately."

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to allow all the young players get game time now."

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

"He was the greatest 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 training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and walking out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring goals with legendary players," he says.

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

"A fight 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 massive."