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If relief had a face, it would be that of Stephen Cook. The South Africa opener scored the second hundred of his six-Test career - which sounds pretty decent if you think about it - under immense pressure, as he sought to prove his worth in Australia. He can leave knowing that he succeeded.Cook was the last man out in South Africas second innings in Adelaide, as he made 104 out of a total of 250, having batted for over six hours. He helped South Africa set a target of 127, which Australia chased down with seven wickets to spare.Ive had a tough time the last couple of weeks, thats plain and obvious to say, Cook said after the day-night Test ended. Before the series I knew things were going to be tough. I knew the Aussies had a good bowling line-up. And I got tested. By hook or by crook, I suppose - by hook or by Cook- I managed to come through.With scores of 0, 12, 23, 11 and 40 in the previous five innings on the tour, and growing uncertainty with his footwork, Cook faced severe criticism over his technique. He spent some sessions with long-time team-mate and current South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie working on his trigger movement but admitted he never intended to change his entire approach, especially it had served him so well for the best part of the previous decade and a half.It wasnt a pretty show but Ive never been a pretty cricketer, Cook said. I know its not classical. I know its a little bit ugly. I know I crab across the crease. Ive heard many descriptions of it. Unfortunately, this technique is the one Ive got and the one Ive used for a long time. Its gotten me so far - yes, Ill do little tweaks and try and make amendments - and by and large I stick with what Ive got and try make it work for me.I dont think Im ever going to jump onto the front foot like Ricky Ponting or move in and behind the ball like some other players. For me its about getting my game plan going and keeping my disciplines going. Cooks patience was the hallmark of his hundred, as he defended tirelessly and refused to be dislodged. He knew that the longer he hung on, the better the chance he had to make an impression on the toughest stage he has played on to date. I knew Australia is a place you can be made or broken. Im leaving with people perhaps being able to see that I can bat better than I have these last few weeks.The fight for runs was particularly tough against Mitchell Starc, who dismissed Cook in four out five innings in the series. It was difficult with angles. You dont get many left-armers who bowl 150 kph, so he had my number, Cook said. That was the battle - to get away from him and score enough runs at the other end.Cook attributed his turnaround to experience and the strong support he received from team-mates and family.There have been a lot of times in my career where Ive gone on streaks longer than this without scoring runs. The nice thing is that I never felt like I was playing that badly. I never felt like I wasnt picking up the ball or that Ive got no chance. I felt things turned around for me on this tour on a personal level [when my family arrived]. My family doesnt care whether Ive scored nought or a hundred. My little daughter looks at me the same way today as she looked at me three weeks ago. It shows you whats really important.The morning before the Adelaide Test, Cook, his wife Laura and young daughter Elianna were strolling around the Torrens river. He even took the time to cheer on some jogging journalists. At no point on the tour did Cook seem weighed down by his difficulties. 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Poirier lasted less than two minutes.Poirier said: Conor is definitely the real deal. Ive had 22 fights and Ive never been put out like that. I was very emotional, just because of everything that had gone on between me and Conor. The build-up to the fight between us made me fight emotionally, rather than relaxed, which is how I like to fight.He hit me with a good shot and I went down. Id love to do it again. I wouldnt get hit with that shot again, and I wouldnt let myself get so emotional. McGregor knocked me out! Dustin Poirier shares memories of his darkest day Dave Hill lost to McGregor four years ago on the regional circuit. He remembers a cocky Irish kid with remarkable self-assurance.Hill said: I thought it was all an act, all for show. He was kicking off at the weigh-ins. But when he got in my face, because of his intensity, I thought: He really believes in himself. That flustered me.Hes overwhelming in a fight because hes always in your face, hes so confident. He was talking to me during the fight, saying I look soft, and it made my mind go elsewhere. I was thinking should I say something? He has a presence that doesnt give you a rest and puts you on the back-foot.I dont think its an act any more. But when I started fighting him I realised that he believes everything he says - thats the way he is.The coaches I knew Conor would be a great fighter but I didn’t know he would become so popular. He was always a charismatic guy but I couldn’t have predicted how big he would get. He never has moments where that gets on top of him. Pressure is for tyres. Head coach John Kavanagh Phil Sutcliffe was the first man to teach a 12-year-old McGregor to punch at Crumlin Boxing Club, but doesnt remember an outstanding talent.Sutcliffe said: He was like any other novice who we taught the basics to. 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. If he didnt have the right attitude, he would have never made it to the top. I remember the first day meeting him. I remember the confidence Conor had. He was immediately the best boxer we had. You could take him down and submit him but he was never fazed. He knew he could knock you out Striking coach Owen Roddy The fellow UFC champion UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold said he is intrigued by Conor McGregor’s rise The team-mates Aisling Daly, McGregor, Paddy Holohan & Cathal Pendred are SBG gym products Aisling Daly, a UFC womens straw-weight contender, has risen through the ranks alongside McGregor at Dublins SBG gym.ddddddddddddDaly said: Hes still the same guy that I knew when we were teenagers but he has fancier shoes and nicer cars. Everything else about him is the same. He makes everyone realise that, with hard work, they can have the mansions and the fancy cars too.Because were a family theres no begrudging him, were all sending positive vibes to him. When one of us makes it, we all make it. Were all in the gutter looking up at the stars. Sometimes Conor will turn up for training in a five-piece suit but, on a normal day, hes rolled out of bed and arrived in a beanie hat and a tracksuit. Hes like the rest of us. Conor is a phenomenal striker and I’ve been learning from him for years. He’s definitely one of the best strikers in the UFC. Gunnar Nelson The promoter McGregor was spotted by the UFC after a successful stint with Cage Warriors Graham Boylan runs Cage Warriors, a domestic promotion that gave McGregor his big break.Boylan said: Without doubt, hes our biggest export, nobody can deny his prestige. I remember the phone call when I offered him a title shot and he said Ill fight tomorrow.When we had Conor for his fifth and sixth fights, we knew hed go on to special things. He just acted differently to everybody. He stood out from a crowd of 30-odd fighters, everybody was looking at him. People with long teeth behind the scenes realised that if he could back up the things he was saying then hed be a star. Conor won all his fights in Cage Warriors because he got into his opponents heads.The future foes We know that Conor has lost twice by submission. He was willing to give up twice, we know that. He tapped out to a choke and a knee hold, which is a move where you give up before it becomes a problem because you’re anticipating pain. I’ve seen that he is capable of giving up. Urijah Faber Frankie Edgar, ranked No 2 at featherweight, isnt impressed by McGregors talk.Edgar said: Maybe he is the second coming like hes been telling everyone! I dont get caught up in the attention around McGregor. Is he skilful? Yes. Does he bring attention to the rest of us? Yes. But hes not always respectful.Donald Cerrone also resides in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, but respected McGregors KO of Jose Aldo.Cerrone said: Unbelievable, man. The dude went out there and did everything that he said hed do. He shocked the world in 13 seconds. How awesome is that?The boxer Hes a character with no regard for anyone or anything which you admire as a fighter. I know people who have boxed with him in Ireland - hes from a boxing background. Hes certainly a better boxer than the others. George Groves The sports scientistProfessor Greg Whyte puts McGregor through a series of tests to compare him against other sportsmen.Whyte said: His VO2 max is similar to a Premier League midfielder. They run 10-12km a game with short breaks whereas Conor competes for up to 25 minutes. That is all-out effort and his endurance capacity is right up there with the best midfielders. It is his ability to recover before returning to his peak which is impressive and those values are similar to those of footballers. McGregor the compete package Read about his remarkable fitness His power output on a bike is not like an Olympic cyclist but what separates