Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd.

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

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

"My father and I often comment, 'this was the nation I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia as his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised superior professional opportunities 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.

However, life has turned out somewhat different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro MMA fighter and is seen as one of the prime prospects in the PFL, a major MMA organization.

His siblings have chosen a different path in sport and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the senior squad.

"Our key goal for us is to squeeze the maximum from our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

"I want them to play for all of the finest teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a different team."

From Grapplers to Soccer Talents

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

The area has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is not a coincidence, though, as children 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 defend yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states 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 excellent wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and really driven – due to wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

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

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

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

Half a dozen years after signing for 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.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I think the youngsters are more motivated than the current 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 gifted," continues Ibragim.

"He learned every skill quicker than everyone else. He's a good defender. He's going to be similar to a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Dream' to Fight at Old Trafford

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

In August, he passed three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC title fight.

"I never have imagined I would be training 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 training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is no surprise Ibragim states he is desperate to claim a world title of his own someday.

However that does not prevent 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 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 similar to a dream come true."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they would do it. It would be huge."