Alexander Volkanovski blasts 'delusional' rival Ilia Topuria ahead of champion's title defence at UFC 298: 'He thinks he is the king already'

Alexander Volkanovski is eager to teach 'delusional' rival Ilia Topuria a lesson as he looks to get back on track at UFC 298.

Volkanovski, 34, is reeling from his failed attempt to become a double champion three weeks ago in Abu Dhabi, where he was knocked out by lightweight king Islam Makhachev in the first round.

Eager to get back in the Octagon, Volkanovski has been scheduled to face featherweight challenger Topuria in February next year, with the 26-year-old on a six-fight winning run that has set tongues wagging in MMA circles.

However, Volkanovski is adamant that the European has not earned his shot at the top prize just yet.   

'He's good and he's powerful, but he tries to carry himself like he's the champion already,' Volkanovski told News Corp. 

'He thinks he's the king already. Mate, you haven't even swum with the sharks yet. Once you start swimming with the sharks, then you can come at the Megalodon.

'He should be confident, but he's starting to get a little delusional.

'Look at the sharks I was swimming with before I took on (Max Holloway).'

Volkanovski defeated interim title challenger Chad Mendes and former champion Jose Aldo before facing Holloway, and is keen to prove that Topuria does not belong on the same stage as him.  

'He's still young and I get to teach him a lesson, and give him some humble pie,' he added. 'Maybe then he turns s*** around. Maybe he doesn't have the right people around him that need to humble him.

'I feel like I'm doing the world a favour. I feel like I'm going out of my way to humble him.'

Topuria gives each of his defeated opponents a rose after fighting them, and has already produced a social media video in which he has a flower waiting for Volkanovski. 

'Good on him, he's playing a part or something, and I'd like that if it's just him playing the game, but he really believes he's the best fighter the UFC has ever seen,' he said.

'You want confidence, but is he preparing accordingly?

'Or is he just doing what he's been doing to prepare for everybody else? You'd better show me something different. If not I'm gonna f***ing embarrass you in front of the world.'