Those Siblings from Dagestan Making Their Mark in MMA and with Manchester United.

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

"I am fond of it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.

"We often comment, 'this is the country I should have been born in.'"

The young man left his homeland in the North Caucasus of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles promised better professional prospects for him and his siblings.

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

But, reality now looks quite distinct for the Ibragimov family.

Ibragim is now a pro mixed martial arts athlete and is regarded as one of the leading talents in the PFL, a major MMA league.

His brothers have taken a different path in sport and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a position in the senior squad.

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

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

Starting as Grapplers to Soccer Talents

Located in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mystical reputation among fight fans for generating a host of UFC titleholders in recent years.

The region has a long history in wrestling, excelling in the combat sambo discipline and producing a host of Olympic and world winners.

This success is no accident, though, 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 constantly telling me and my younger brothers that we had to be powerful, firstly to protect ourselves, your family, and your friends," says Ibragim.

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

"Amir was a highly skilled wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it helped my younger brothers a great deal."

"Many of the footballers he comes up against lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's solid, strong and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the mistake and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players thanks to his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was short-lived, though, as only weeks after joining the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their scouts watched him play and picked 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 history to train with the senior side when he did so in April 2023.

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

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Absolutely. They should allow all the young players play right now."

"I don't think they would play worse than the current starters. I think the young guys are hungrier than the present squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill faster than everyone else. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a modern Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Dream' to Compete at the Theatre of Dreams

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

In August, he passed 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 imagined I would be training under Khabib," Ibragim admits.

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

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

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

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of playing for United and walking out on the historic 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 legendary players," he recalls.

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a dream for me. I was discussing with the PFL guys about it to see if they could make it happen. It would be enormous."