Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his clan's life has transformed since moving to England from Dagestan in 2017.

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete remarks.

"We often say, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

But, life now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts fighter and is viewed as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a leading MMA league.

His brothers have taken a separate path in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad.

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

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a slew of UFC titleholders in the past few years.

The area has a long tradition in grappling, thriving in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

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

"When I was young, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and which is why everyone understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

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

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

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Unaware of his actual age, trainers grouped him with boys five years older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Half a dozen 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 train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"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? Without a doubt. They should let all the youthful players get game time right now."

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing starters. I believe the youngsters are hungrier than the current first-team players."

Following that, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once part of the academy of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

"I never have imagined I would be learning under Khabib," Ibragim says.

"He was the best 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 training with Islam Makhachev."

Fresh from working with two UFC titleholders from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

But that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like 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 says.

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

"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 huge."