The Siblings from the Dagestani Region Making Their Mark in Mixed Martial Arts and at Manchester United.

Ibragim Ibragimov breaks into a smile as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since moving to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I adore it here," the PFL athlete states.

"We frequently comment, 'this is the country I ought to have been born in.'"

The 21-year-old departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father believed a relocation covering more than 3,000 miles offered superior career prospects for him and his siblings.

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

However, life now looks slightly distinct for the Ibragimov family.

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

His siblings have chosen a different route in athletics and have all been signed by Manchester United – with Amir aiming for a place in the first team.

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

"I desire them to represent all of the top teams in the world. Now it is Man United, tomorrow it could be a another team."

Starting as Wrestlers to Soccer Talents

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

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

This achievement is no accident, however, as youth from the region are often encouraged to take up fighting, particularly wrestling, almost as soon as they can walk.

"When I was a kid, my dad was always instructing me and my little brothers that we needed to be powerful, firstly to defend yourself, your relatives, and your friends," says Ibragim.

"Therefore we all became accustomed to combat, and that's why people knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

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

"Many of the players he faces don't have the identical base he has. That's why he's solid, powerful and incredibly driven – because of wrestling."

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

He was unfazed by the oversight and was perfectly comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

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

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

The family's stay 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 over the Pennines as a result.

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

"One of their talent spotters watched him play and selected him immediately."

Half a dozen years after signing for the Old Trafford 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 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 should allow all the youthful players play now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively than the existing starters. I believe the young guys are more motivated than the current squad members."

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

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

"He learned every skill quicker than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'A Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

In August, he spent three weeks in his native region at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym, helping Islam Makhachev get ready for a November UFC championship bout.

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

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

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

Fresh from training with two UFC champions from Dagestan, it is unsurprising Ibragim says he is desperate to win a world title of his own someday.

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

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

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

"An event at Old Trafford? It's a ambition for me. I was speaking to the PFL officials about it to see if they could do it. It would be enormous."