The Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his family's life has changed since moving to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor remarks.

"We often say, 'this was the country I ought to 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 promised superior professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

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

Ibragim is now a pro MMA athlete and is seen as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different route in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the senior squad.

"Our key thing for us is to extract everything out of our sports," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in recent years.

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

This achievement is no accident, though, as children from the region are frequently encouraged to take up fighting, particularly 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 powerful, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it benefited my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the identical 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, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines consequently.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him immediately."

Six years after joining 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 senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. 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 kid is gifted," adds Ibragim.

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready 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."

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

However that does not prevent him from sometimes fantasizing of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I always used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

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