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Ibragim Ibragimov smiles warmly as he recalls the transformation his family has experienced since relocating from Dagestan to England eight years ago. The 21-year-old athlete, now a rising star in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), tells BBC Sport of his affection for his new home. “I love it here,” he says, adding that both he and his father feel England is “the country I should have been born in.”
The move was made in 2017 at the behest of Ibragim’s father, who sought better career prospects for his four sons by moving them over 3,000 miles from their native North Caucasus region. Initially, the family intended for Ibragim and his brothers Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) to complete their schooling and pursue university education in England. However, their paths have since diverged considerably. While Ibragim pursues his professional MMA career and has gained recognition as a top PFL prospect, his younger brothers have embarked on promising football careers and have all been signed by Manchester United, with Amir aiming for inclusion in the first team.
Dagestan’s reputation as a breeding ground for fighters is well-known, largely due to its deep-rooted wrestling tradition, particularly in sambo. The region has produced numerous Olympic and world champions, with children encouraged from an early age to engage in wrestling. Reflecting on this, Ibragim reveals, “When I was a kid, my dad was always telling me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, firstly to protect yourself, your family, and your friends.” This early exposure to wrestling gave his brothers a strength and competitiveness that has translated into football. “Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot.”
Amir’s football journey began at Sheffield United, where, at age nine, he was matched against players significantly older. Thanks to his wrestling background, he was able to keep up and impressed the coaches. Shortly after, Manchester United took notice during a tournament when Amir scored a remarkable free-kick, securing his move to the club. At just 15, Amir trained with Manchester United’s first team in April 2023, becoming one of the youngest to do so. Ibragim recalls his brother’s reaction: “Do you know what he said to me? ‘This is where I belong.’” He expresses confidence in Amir’s future, stating, “Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%.” The other brothers, Gazik and Muhammad—formerly with Manchester City—have also joined Manchester United, with Ibragim praising Gazik’s defensive talent and potential to become “like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man Utd.”
Meanwhile, Ibragim has settled in Manchester, dedicating his time to training at Manchester Top Team. This August, he spent three weeks back in Dagestan at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s gym, assisting Islam Makhachev as the latter prepared for the UFC title fight against Jack Della Maddalena. “I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib,” Ibragim says, reflecting on his admiration for the former UFC champion. Inspired by these experiences, Ibragim dreams of securing a world title in MMA, yet his passion for football remains strong as he imagines stepping onto Old Trafford’s famous pitch. He fondly recalls playing Manchester United on his PlayStation, scoring goals with iconic players like Ronaldo, Rooney, and Tevez. “Now, for my brothers to be Man Utd players, it’s like a dream come true,” he admits. Contemplating the idea of hosting an MMA fight at the legendary stadium, he adds, “A fight at Old Trafford? It’s a dream for me.”
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