VIDEO: Conor McGregor shows why he’s so elusive in the Octagon in intense new training video

Hard work pays off.

Conor McGregor is certainly talking a good game in the run-up to his showdown with Nate Diaz at UFC 196 next weekend, but he’s well able to back it up too. In the wake of his 13-second KO of Jose Aldo in December, McGregor famously spoke of his belief that timing beats speed and precision beats power. He can be seen working on the timing element of his preparation with movement coach Ido Portal in a video posted on Instagram earlier today in a workout that looks energy-sapping to say the least.

"The real secret behind becoming the best fighter of all time: fight thousands of battles. But since no one can survive that damage - simulations come in. But there are simulations and then there are simulations!" - @portal.ido Great work this week with my brother Ido!! #AllDayLongWork

A video posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Feb 26, 2016 at 3:01am PST

No wonder it’s so hard to lay a hand on him inside the Octagon.