Conor McGregors southpaw straight left won him the UFC championship inside 13 seconds and has become one of the most feared punches in the fight world. Along with his elusive footwork and eye-catching, hands-down style, the Irishmans punching ability has resulted in fight fans dreaming of a duel against boxing great Floyd Mayweather. Even if thats fantasy, McGregor has forged a reputation in the boxing world without ever stepping in a professional ring.But if hes such a good boxer, why did he depart the sport as a teenager? McGregor lost his most recent UFC fight to Nate Diaz so has he profited from a string of grappling-based opponents that lack skills with their hands? Conor McGregor lands a lead-hand uppercut Paschal Collins, Irelands seasoned boxing trainer, remembers an unknown MMA enthusiast who was at home in the boxing gym. Three or four years ago, I always reckoned that he could have gone all the way in boxing for the reason that his work ethic is unbelievable, Collins told Sky Sports. He trains - no, he practises - three times a day.You know when somebody walks into a room and they stand out? He had a confidence but behind the scenes he keeps his head down. I would watch him for an hour and hed practise the same move over and over. He stood out, absolutely.Hes brave, hes got a heart, and hes afraid of nobody. He sparred my nephew Stevie Jr, a cruiserweight, and showed no fear even when he was clipped. Conor was in my gym two weeks ago and I did southpaw pad work with him. He sparred my nephew Stevie Jr, a cruiserweight, and showed no fear even when he was clipped. Paschal Collins Before McGregors growth took him through Collins pro gym, he first learned to wrap his hands in the Crumlin Boxing Gym, an amateur establishment rife with young Irishmen learning about the discipline of the ring.He was like any other novice who we taught the basics to, Crumlin coach Phil Sutcliffe told Sky Sports. He could have been very good if he stayed with boxing.Some kids had more talent than Conor but didnt work as hard and eventually he found them out. He has skills from his time here - his hands up, his chin down, his elbows in. When he got good enough he was able to drop his hands because he could read the punches. Hes a very, very good reader. Conor McGregor hitting pads Hes ambidextrous, we teach that to all our kids, he can box orthodox or southpaw. His straight left changes fights. Its an opportunists punch - hes always had the ability to turn on his back leg to throw his back hand.McGregor took his boxing skills to the cage and exploded onto the UFC scene three years ago, immediately demonstrating an understanding of range that dumbfounded rivals.The same weapon that impressed his first coach Sutcliffe was still getting the job done. Three left-handed uppercuts accounted for Marcus Brimage in McGregors debut, then four more opponents crumpled beneath his left hand in 2014 and 2015. Dublin lightweight Jamie Kavanagh recently tweeted Conor McGregor about their younger days at the Crumlin amateur gym @JamieKavanagh90 A southpaws best weapon is the straight left, McGregors current coach John Kavanagh told Sky Sports last summer. For whatever reason, nobody hits harder than Conor.Contrary to popular belief, it tends to be tall, lanky, rangy fighters who punch the hardest. Conor has a generic X-factor when it comes to punching - even I dont know exactly what that is. Its hard to find a better system than western boxing to teach you how to hit as hard as possible.Super-middleweight world title challenger George Groves has been an impressed onlooker but when quizzed whether McGregor could cut it inside the boxing ring, he noted a crucial different in the Irishmans style. They attack from so far out. Do that in boxing and a skilful boxer would time you. George Groves They have to worry about takedowns so they have to throw punches from a much wider distance, Groves explained to Sky Sports. They can get away with things that we cant in boxing - for example they attack from so far out. Do that in boxing and a skilful boxer would time you.Were used to fighting much closer but if the UFC guys do that, theyre likely to be grabbed. They certainly have power, but in UFC they dont throw combinations. If youre a pure boxer you wont last long inside the cage - but vice versa.A submission defeat to Diaz in March, after tasting some of his own medicine standing toe-to-toe, led to criticism from WBA Super and WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Boxing is the ultimate combat sport, Fury tweeted. Where two proper fighters stand up and fight. Conor McGregor (left) lands a southpaw jab McGregors recent low-profile appearances in California-based boxing gyms may be a strategic attempt to avenge the Diaz loss in an expected rematch, rather than preparation to fight a certain retired kingpin of the ring. His recent defeat was attributed to a lack of boxing finesse by his own striking coach Owen Roddy.He was winning the fight but punched himself out, Roddy told Sky Sports. He was trying to force the finish. He was landing his shots but, because Diaz was able to take them, Conor was throwing higher and higher combinations and got exhausted. The tables turned. Conor McGregors boxing let him down against Nate Diaz Conor was trying to knock him out with every punch and was putting too much behind every shot. If we get him to only put power behind certain shots, he should reserve his energy more. If we stick to popping shots and moving, I think hell put Diaz away.McGregor is the latest in a fabled line of punchers from Ireland and counts former world champions Wayne McCullough and Steve Collins as fans, while Lennox Lewis has tweeted support. He may wear smaller gloves than his boxing predecessors but he is packing a punch in a different way. Also See: Mayweather on McGregor talk Fury slams beaten McGregor McGregor fuels Mayweather rumour Fury: McGregor copied me Vans Old Skool España . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Vans Old Skool Tienda Online . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. http://www.vansoldskoolbaratas.es/ . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Vans Old Skool Rebajas . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Vans Old Skool Baratas España . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. MINNEAPOLIS -- Mitch Leidner has returned to lead the Minnesota huddle with a finally healthy left foot.Hes bringing 35 games of experience with him.After enduring his share of struggles with accuracy and injury over the first part of his career, Leidner turned a corner during the second half of his junior season despite playing through the pain and limitation in his left foot that essentially dogged him since the third game of his sophomore year. Now hes one of the Big Tens most seasoned players, getting national acclaim as one of the top NFL draft prospects at his position.As a native of the Twin Cities area, having played at Lakeville South High School, Leidner has occasionally bristled about the complaints from fans that have come with the job as the quarterback of the states only major college. Leading the Gophers to victories over rivals Iowa and Wisconsin and a spot in the conference championship game would be a sweet way to finish as a fifth-year senior.Id probably just retire right after that. Go move up to northern Minnesota and never talk to anybody the rest of my life, he said, jokingly. But I guess on a serious note, it would just feel really good.Leidner, who has a 16-13 record as a starter, first hurt his left foot Sept. 13, 2014, in a loss at TCU.My big toe was basically floating around in my shoe, he said Thursday, as the Gophers prepared to begin fall practice.The injury was aggravated early in the 2015 season, and Leidner had surgery to repair torn ligaments right after the Quick Lane Bowl win over Central Michigan. He sat out of spring practice to recover, but his presence around the program this year has been as large as any player since, probably, quarterback Adam Weber concluded his career in 2010.All Ive got to say about Mitch is thats a man on a mission, said tight end Brandon Liingen.dddddddddddd Ive never seen a guy more dedicated to a cause in my life. Its definitely been infectious, too.Leidner, a bruising scrambler with 1,129 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing in his career, used a diet change to drop about 20 pounds. The goal is to play this season at around 230 pounds.Hes put a tremendous amount of effort in, coach Tracy Claeys said.Leidner spent another summer at Peyton Mannings passing camp, picking the brain of the now-retired NFL star. He met again with a sports psychologist offered through the athletic department. He connected with new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, who grew up in the same suburb as he did. The back-to-normal lower body will undoubtedly be the biggest boon, helping him better avoid pressure in the pocket.Its going to make a huge difference, Leidner said.Down the stretch last year, he often wore a walking boot all week, taking it off only for practice.I always knew I was going to play in the back of my mind, no matter what condition I was in, Leidner said. At practice, throwing on the run and things like that sometimes was just impossible for me, but I knew that in the game Id get enough adrenaline pumping that Id be good to go.Particularly at wide receiver and on the offensive line, the Gophers have some areas that will be watched closely this month and next. Theres no concern about the quarterback, though.I think its comfortable for other guys on the team to know that Ive played in that many games, to know theyre stepping into the huddle with a guy whos been there before, whos played Michigan before, whos played Ohio State a couple times, and they know that I can get the job done in those certain situations, Leidner said. ' ' '