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

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL athlete declares.

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

The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles offered superior career opportunities for him and his siblings.

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

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

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

His brothers have taken a different route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze everything from our chosen fields," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among combat sports enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a rich history in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

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

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to protect yourself, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

"Many of the footballers he faces don't have the same foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – due to 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 unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players because of his background in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

Six years after joining the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's records to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

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

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the young guys are hungrier than the present first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is eager to claim 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 historic turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

"Now, for my brothers to be Man United players, it's similar to a fantasy realized."

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