Experience goes a long way in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Australian featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski plans to use that to his full advantage when he takes on Spaniard Ilia Topuria.

The Aussie arrived for the official weigh-in for UFC 298 dressed like an old man to play up on the 'experienced' campaigner line in a move that did not amuse Topuria in the slightest. 

The pair meet in Anaheim, California on Sunday (AEDT), with Volkanovski chasing a sixth title defence on his return to the 145-pound division.

He only trails Brazilian José Aldo (7) in the all-time UFC featherweight title defences.

Asked about the gimmick, Volkanovski said: 'Just having a bit of fun with it, you know what I mean? You've got to do it. And for the people as well! Everyone appreciated the outfit so I wanted to do it in person.' 

'I think this old man needs to teach this young fella a lesson, what do you reckon?'

Topuria says: 'You see how you came dressed, you already know what's going to happen. You came ready for retirement, old man.'

Volkanovski declared: 'He'll get a good spanking, that's what's gonna happen.'

Topuria replied: 'He said he's going to humble me. Stand up and do something. Humble me!'

The pair stood up – Volkanovski very slowly, in full old-man mode.

'Saturday night I'm gonna look mean and lean, I'm coming for my head,' Volkanovski said.

Topuria replied: 'I'm gonna humble you, I'm gonna show you. I'm gonna walk (wipe) the floor with you.'

Volkanovski hit back: 'I'm gonna make this look easy.'

Topuria said: 'I'm gonna tear your head off.'

The war of words continued with Volkanovski even branding Topuria a 'Conor McGregor wannabe' as the Spaniard borrowed some of the famous Irishman's moves including holding the belt away from the Aussie. 

The NSW native last fought in October when he moved up to lightweight and accepted a rematch with Islam Makhachev on 11 days notice, a fight he went on to lose in the first round.

Spurred by a full training camp and enjoying his opponent playing the villain in the media, Volkanovski, 35, says the title bout is all about him exuding his experience and teaching the 'young cocky kid' a lesson.

'He has to talk a big game, he doesn't really have much to back it,' the Australian champion told AAP.

'I just need to be that experienced fighter that goes out there and teaches the young cocky kid a lesson.'

Topuria, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, is the No.3 ranked fighter and is undefeated in the division with a 14-0 record.

He boasts eight wins via submission, four via knockout and nine first-round finishes.

Volkanovski said he could 'make it look easy' by finishing Topuria in the opening round but instead he wants his opponent to experience championship pedigree.

'I want him to feel what championship level looks like and feels like,' said Volkanovski. I want him to understand that before I take him out.

'I want him to feel it first and then take him out - let him at least have one round and realise that: 'wow, ok, this is different', and then put him away.

'I need him to really understand that and then maybe he can be even better fighter and a great champion one day, when I'm gone.'

Volkanovski is the second-longest reigning titleholder in the 145-pound division and last fought at featherweight in July, 2023, defeating Yair Rodriguez via TKO.