The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League star states.

"We frequently remark, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

However, reality now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

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

His siblings have taken a separate route in sport and have all been contracted 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 play for every one of the top teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it could be a different team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a number of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo style and creating numerous Olympic and world champions.

This achievement is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all got used to combat, and which is 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 helped my little brothers a lot."

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

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces 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 more than comfortable competing against older players because of his background in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the same age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

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

The clan'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 transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Half a dozen 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 practice with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

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

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

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

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

"He picked up everything quicker than the others. He's a good defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Fight at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

"I never have imagined 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 growing up."

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

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

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

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

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

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