Those Siblings from Dagestan Excelling in MMA and with Man Utd.

Ibragim Ibragimov grins as he reflects on how his family's life has evolved since relocating to England from Dagestan eight years ago.

"I love it here," the Professional Fighters League competitor states.

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

The young man departed his homeland in the Caucasus region of Russia because his father was convinced a relocation spanning more than 3,000 miles offered 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 enrolling in one of the country's universities.

However, reality has turned out somewhat distinct for the Ibragimov household.

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

His brothers have taken a different route in athletics and have each been contracted by Manchester United – with Amir pushing for a place in the first team.

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

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

Starting as Wrestlers to Football Prodigies

Situated in the south of Russia, Dagestan has a mythical reputation among combat sports fans for generating a number of UFC champions in the past few years.

The area has a rich history in wrestling, excelling in the sambo discipline and creating numerous Olympic and world winners.

This achievement is no accident, however, as children from the region are often encouraged to begin fighting, particularly wrestling, practically as soon as they can walk.

"As a a kid, my dad was constantly telling me and my little brothers that we needed to be strong, first to defend ourselves, your relatives, and your companions," states Ibragim.

"Therefore we all got used to combat, and which is why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It's not a surprise."

"Amir was a excellent wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; clearly, it assisted my younger brothers a lot."

"Some of the players he faces lack the identical base he possesses. That's why he's stocky, strong and really driven – due to wrestling."

Amir was only 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 oversight and was perfectly comfortable competing against older players because of his experience in wrestling.

"They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently," says Ibragim.

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

The family's time in South Yorkshire was brief, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United learned of Amir's ability and he moved over the Pennines as a result.

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

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

Half a dozen years after joining the Old Trafford club and at the age of 15, Amir became one of the youngest players in the club's history to practice with the senior side when he achieved this in April 2023.

"Know what he told me? 'This is where I should be'," Ibragim reveals.

"Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? Without a doubt. They need to let all the young players get game time right now."

"I don't think they would play less effectively 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 made the move to Manchester United.

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

"He picked up everything faster than the others. He's a solid defender. He's going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United."

'The Goal' to Compete at Old Trafford

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

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

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

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

"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 someday.

However that does not stop him from sometimes dreaming of representing United and stepping out on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, much like his brothers.

"I owned a PlayStation at home and I constantly used to play as Man United, scoring with legendary players," he says.

"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 speaking to the PFL guys about it to see if they would make it happen. It would be massive."