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

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

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

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

The 21-year-old departed his home in the North Caucasus of Russia as his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles would provide better professional opportunities for him and his brothers.

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

However, life now looks slightly different for the Ibragimov household.

Ibragim is now a professional MMA fighter and is regarded as one of the top prospects in the PFL, a prominent MMA league.

His brothers have chosen a different route in sport and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a position in the senior squad.

"The main thing for us is to extract everything out of our sports," explains Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among fight enthusiasts for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The region has a long tradition in grappling, excelling in the combat sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are frequently encouraged to begin combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they can stand.

"As a a kid, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we needed to be powerful, first to protect yourself, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the move from wrestling to football; clearly, it benefited my little brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly competitive – because of wrestling."

Amir was only nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches grouped him with boys significantly older.

He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than capable competing against older players thanks to his background in wrestling.

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

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

The clan's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved across the Pennines as a result.

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

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

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

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

"Is he able to be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should let all the young players play now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the young guys 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 gifted," continues Ibragim.

"He learned everything quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be similar to 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 native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, assisting Islam Makhachev prepare for a November UFC title fight.

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

"He was the greatest fighter in the world – and we always used to look up to him when we were growing up."

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

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

However that does not stop him from occasionally dreaming of playing for United and stepping out on the historic turf at Old Trafford, much like 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 recalls.

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

"An event 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 enormous."