Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and with Manchester United.

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

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

"My father and I always say, 'this was the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his home in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father believed a move covering more than 3,000 miles would provide superior career 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 school before enrolling in one of the nation's universities.

However, life now looks quite distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have chosen a separate route in athletics and have each been signed by Manchester United – with Amir vying for a place in the senior squad.

"The primary goal for us is to extract the maximum out of our chosen fields," says Ibragim.

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Prodigies

Located in southern Russia, Dagestan holds a mythical status among fight enthusiasts for producing a host of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a long history in grappling, excelling in the sambo discipline and producing numerous Olympic and world champions.

This success is not a coincidence, though, as children from the region are often pushed to begin fighting, specifically wrestling, practically as soon as they can stand.

"As a young, my dad was always telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to fighting, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's unsurprising."

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can observe the move from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against don't have the identical foundation he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and incredibly competitive – due to wrestling."

Amir was just nine years old when he was being tested at Sheffield United. Not knowing of his real age, coaches placed him with boys five years 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 same age, so the story goes," remarks Ibragim.

Amir was signed, together with Ibragim's younger 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 ability and he transferred over 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 saw him play and picked him straight away."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Manchester United club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's records to train with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he said to me? 'This is where I belong'," Ibragim reveals.

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

"In my opinion they would play worse than the existing first-team players. I believe the youngsters are more motivated than the present squad members."

Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the younger once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.

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

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

'The Goal' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

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

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

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

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

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

However that does not stop him from sometimes fantasizing 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 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 dream come true."

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a goal for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be huge."