Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

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

"I am fond of it here," the PFL star states.

"We frequently comment, 'this was the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles promised superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

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

Ibragim is now a professional MMA athlete and is seen as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His brothers have taken a separate route in athletics and have all been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the senior squad.

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

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

Starting as Grapplers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among combat sports fans 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 a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

"So we all became accustomed to fighting, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Some of the footballers he faces lack the identical base he has. That's why he's stocky, powerful and incredibly driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was more than capable holding his own against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's younger brothers Gazik and Muhammad.

The family's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, 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 tournament and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

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

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the youngest players in the club's history to train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should allow all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated 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 youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.

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

'A Dream' to Compete at Old Trafford

Ibragim has also moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at a local gym.

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a late-year 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."

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

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

But that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing of representing United and stepping out on the historic 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 legendary players," he says.

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

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