Those Siblings from the Dagestani Region Excelling in Mixed Martial Arts and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he considers how his family's life has transformed since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I adore it here," the Professional Fighters League athlete remarks.

"My father and I frequently remark, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old left his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles would provide superior professional opportunities for him and his siblings.

The original idea was for Ibragim and his three brothers – Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) – to complete their education before joining one of the nation's colleges.

However, life has turned out slightly distinct for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts fighter and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA organization.

His siblings have taken a different route in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

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

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

From Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for producing a number of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The area has a long tradition in wrestling, thriving in the combat sambo style and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is no accident, though, as youth from the region are often encouraged to begin combat sports, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a young, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your family, and your companions," says Ibragim.

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

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

"Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, powerful and really competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was put through his paces at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his actual age, trainers placed him with boys significantly older.

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

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

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

The clan's stay in South Yorkshire was short-lived, however, as just weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's talent and he transferred across the Pennines consequently.

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

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

Six years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir was one of the most youthful players in the club's history to practice with the first team when he did so in April 2023.

"Do you know what he said to me? 'Here is where I belong'," Ibragim says.

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to allow all the youthful players play now."

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

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

"Gazik, this youngster is gifted," adds Ibragim.

"He learned everything quicker than the others. He's a good 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 perfecting his MMA abilities at Manchester Top Team.

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

"I never have thought I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim says.

"He was the best fighter in the world – and we constantly used to idolize him when we were growing up."

"Now, I'm here in his gym and training with Islam Makhachev."

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

But that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, similar to his brothers.

"I had a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez," he says.

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

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