Those Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and at Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov smiles as he thinks about how his clan's life has changed since relocating to England from Dagestan a decade ago.

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

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

The young man departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

But, reality now looks somewhat different for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a professional mixed martial arts athlete and is seen as one of the top talents in the PFL, a leading MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a different route in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a spot in the first team.

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

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

From Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan holds a mystical status among combat sports fans for producing a slew of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and creating a host of Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, though, as youth from the region are frequently pushed to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"When I was a kid, my dad was constantly instructing me and my younger brothers that we needed to be strong, firstly to protect ourselves, your family, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

"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 lack the identical foundation he has. That's why he's stocky, strong and really driven – due to wrestling."

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

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

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was brief, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he transferred over the Pennines as a result.

"They played Manchester United in a competition and Amir scored a spectacular free-kick," recalls Ibragim.

"One of their scouts saw him play and picked him immediately."

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'Here is where I should be'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They should let all the youthful players get game time now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the current first-team players. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the present first-team players."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once part of the academy of Manchester City, have likewise transferred to Manchester United.

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

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

'A Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

Ibragim has now moved to Manchester and dedicates most of his days sharpening his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

"I would 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."

Recently working with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim states he is eager to win a world title of his own one day.

But that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming 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 goals with legendary players," he recalls.

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

"A fight at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was discussing with the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."