Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

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

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete declares.

"We frequently comment, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his home in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a move spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional 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 their education before enrolling in one of the country's colleges.

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is viewed as one of the top talents in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a different path in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a spot in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to extract everything from our sports," explains Ibragim.

"I want them to represent all of the finest teams in the world. Today it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

From Wrestlers to Football Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a slew of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long history in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to protect ourselves, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"So we all got used to fighting, and which is why people understands how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the players he faces don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, powerful and really driven – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his real age, trainers placed him with boys five years older.

He was not intimidated by the oversight and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

"They believed Amir and I were the identical age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he achieved this 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 need to allow all the young players get game time right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I think the youngsters are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester and spends most of his days sharpening his MMA skills at Manchester Top Team.

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

"I would never have imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we constantly 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 champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

However that does not prevent him from occasionally dreaming 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 goals with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he recalls.

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

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