Located in southern Russia, Dagestan has a mystical status among fight fans after producing a slew of UFC champions in recent years.
The region has a long tradition in wrestling, thriving in the sambo style and producing a host of Olympic and world champions in the discipline.
Such success is no coincidence, though, as children from the region are often encouraged to take up combat sports, specifically wrestling, almost as soon as they are able to stand on two feet.
“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,” says Ibragim.
“So we all got used to fighting, and that’s why everyone knows how to fight in Dagestan. It’s not a surprise.
“Amir was a very good wrestler. You can see the transition from wrestling to football; obviously, it helped my little brothers a lot.
“Some of the footballers he comes up against don’t have the same base he has. That’s why he’s stocky, strong and really competitive – because of wrestling.”
Amir was just nine years old when he was being put through his paces at Sheffield United. Unaware of his age, coaches grouped him with boys five years older.
He was unfazed by the oversight and was more than comfortable holding his own against older players because of his experience in wrestling.
“They thought Amir and I were the same age, apparently,” says Ibragim.
Amir was signed up, along with Ibragim’s little brothers Gazik and Muhammad.
The family’s stay in South Yorkshire was short, however, as just weeks after signing for the Blades, Manchester United became aware of Amir’s talent and he moved across the Pennines as a result.
“They played Manchester United in a tournament and Amir scored a brilliant free-kick,” says Ibragim.
“One of their scouts saw him play and picked him straight away.”
Six 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 train with the first team when he did so in April 2023.
“Do you know what he said to me? ‘This is where I belong’,” Ibragim says.
“Can he be a first-team player for Manchester United? 100%. They need to let all the young players play right now.
“I don’t think they would play worse than the first-team players. I think the young guys are hungrier than the current first-team players.”
Since then, Gazik and Muhammad, the latter once on the books of Manchester City, have also made the move to Manchester United.
“Gazik, this kid is talented,” adds Ibragim.
“He picked up everything quicker than everyone else. He’s a good defender. He’s going to be like a new Rio Ferdinand for Man United.”
