Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd.

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

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

"My father and I often comment, 'this is 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 superior professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

But, reality has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is viewed as one of the leading 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 aiming for a place in the senior squad.

"The main thing for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I hope them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, in the future it might be a another team."

From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, however, as children from the region are often pushed to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and that's why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Some of the players he faces lack the same base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers 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 background in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

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 first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They should let all the young players play right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current starters. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

"He learned everything faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days honing his MMA abilities 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 training under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

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

"Today, 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 desperate to claim a world title of his own one day.

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

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly 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 like a dream come true."

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