The Ibragimov family from Dagestan, Russia, is quickly becoming a name to watch in both professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and football. At the center of this rising sports dynasty is 21-year-old Ibragim Ibragimov, a standout athlete in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), who has been turning heads since his professional MMA debut in 2021.

“I love it here,” Ibragim told BBC Sport as he reflected on his family’s move from the North Caucasus region to England eight years ago. “My dad and I always say, ‘this is the country I should have been born in’.”

From Dagestan to the UK: A Family Sports Journey

In 2017, Ibragim’s father relocated the family more than 3,000 miles to England, hoping to give his four sons — Ibragim, Amir (17), Gazik (16), and Muhammad (15) — better career opportunities. The initial plan focused on education, with the boys expected to finish school and attend a university in the UK.

However, their paths quickly diverged into the sporting arena. Ibragim carved out a career in MMA, while his younger brothers found their way to one of football’s biggest clubs: Manchester United. Amir, in particular, has already impressed coaches and is pushing for a spot in the first team.

“The main thing for us is to squeeze everything out of our sports,” says Ibragim. “I want them to play for the best teams in the world. Today it is Manchester United, tomorrow it could be a different team.”

Wrestling Roots Shape Football and Fighting Careers

Dagestan is renowned for producing world-class fighters, including numerous UFC champions, thanks to its strong tradition in wrestling and sambo. Children in the region often begin combat sports training at a very young age, giving them a competitive edge in both MMA and other sports.

“When I was a kid, my dad always told me and my little brothers that we had to be strong, first to protect yourself, your family, and your friends,” Ibragim explains. “So we all got used to fighting, and that’s why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan.”

This wrestling foundation has translated into football success. Amir’s strength, competitiveness, and balance — traits honed in wrestling — have given him an advantage on the pitch. Coaches quickly recognized his talent, leading to his signing with Manchester United after initially joining Sheffield United.

Rapid Rise at Manchester United

Amir’s talent did not go unnoticed. During a youth tournament, he scored a brilliant free-kick against Manchester United, prompting a scout to sign him immediately. Six years later, at just 15, Amir trained with Manchester United’s first team, making him one of the youngest players in club history to reach this milestone.

Ibragim shared his pride: “Do you know what he said to me? ‘This is where I belong.’ Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. Young players today are hungrier than current first-team players.”

Following Amir, his younger brothers, Gazik and Muhammad — who previously played for Manchester City’s academy — have also joined Manchester United, continuing the family’s football legacy. Ibragim describes Gazik as a promising defender, predicting he could become a “new Rio Ferdinand” for the club.

MMA Ambitions and Training With Champions

Ibragim has also relocated to Manchester, training rigorously at Manchester Top Team while honing his MMA skills. In August, he returned briefly to Dagestan to train at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s gym, assisting Islam Makhachev ahead of his UFC title fight.

“I would never have thought I would be training under Khabib,” Ibragim says. “He was the best fighter in the world, and we always used to look up to him growing up. Now, I’m training with Islam Makhachev.”

For Ibragim, his MMA aspirations are as high as his brothers’ football dreams. He hopes to win a world title while also harboring a unique dream: fighting at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s iconic stadium. “A fight at Old Trafford? It’s a dream for me. It would be huge,” he says.

The Future Looks Bright

From Dagestan wrestling mats to Manchester football pitches and MMA cages, the Ibragimov family exemplifies the intersection of talent, hard work, and ambition. With Ibragim climbing the ranks in MMA and his younger brothers thriving at Manchester United, the family is cementing its legacy in international sport.