Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski has been warned he has “holes in his striking” and must now get in line when it comes to a second shot at UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from Vancouver, Canada, UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush insists it will be him – and not Volkanovski – who next challenges Makhachev for the division’s strap.

The 34-year-old American, who is currently on a run of eight straight wins, added the UFC featherweight champ should now have to fight a top five lightweight before getting a second crack at ‘champ champ’ status.

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Set to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 289 this Sunday, Dariush says senior UFC executives have already promised him a title shot if victorious.

Only recently, Volkanovski revealed his own plan for the rest of 2023 was to defend featherweight gold against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July before having a second crack at Makhachev himself in October.

Back in February, the Sydneysider suffered a controversial decision loss against the lightweight champ, prompting calls for an immediate rematch.

Dariush, however, disagrees.

“As far as why it should be me after this fight? Because it should’ve been me after the last win,” he said this week.

“I’ve done enough.

“And I get how Volkanovski, at that time, was pound for pound No.1, so they gave him an opportunity.

“But he fell short.

“And now, he should have to fight in his division again.

“If anything, he should also have to fight in our division before he gets an immediate rematch at the lightweight title.

“That’s my opinion.

“He got a shot, and now he should have to earn a second one.”

Asked how a fight between himself and ‘Lightweight Volk’ would go, Dariush continued: “I think it would be a really good fight.

“But surprisingly, (in his last outing against Makhachev) I was expecting to see holes in his grappling.

“But instead I saw more holes in his striking.

“And I would love to take advantage of that.”

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According to Australian betting agencies, Dariush is the $1.70 favourite for Sunday’s showdown while Oliveira is wider at $2.20.

The American also revealed that it was no less than UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell who had promised him the title shot in victory.

Asked how it felt to finally be on the cusp of an opportunity many have argued is long overdue, he said: “Amazing.

“It feels like I’ve been waiting for this forever.

“(Even in this camp) it feels like it’s been 20 weeks.

“But I’ve done my best to stay healthy, injury free, while at the same time still train as hard as possible.

“So this is the best version of me you’re going to find.”

Despite Dariush claiming he has been promised a title shot with victory, UFC president Dana White refused to confirm any guarantees when asked about exactly that at the fight week press conference.

So is there any chance, even with Campbell’s promise, the fighter still feels like it may take a finish against Oliveira – or a highlight reel moment – to earn that title shot?

“I don’t think I need a finish, I just need to win,” he said.

“But in saying that, I feel like I am going to get the finish.

“Because with our styles, I think the chances of a finish are high.

“I think he (Oliveira) will be very aggressive.

“From what I’ve seen of him, he doesn’t really know how to fight any other way.

“He comes forward, throws wild strikes, looks to grapple, makes the fight exciting … so that’s what I’m expecting from him.”

The fighter added that he was buoyed to again be accompanied in fight week by his wife Victoria and their two young daughters.

Asked how he made fight week preparations work while helping care for his young children he said: “It’s hard to be a father, it’s hard to be a husband … it’s not hard to be a fighter.

“That’s actually the easiest thing for me.

“I like going to practice, like learning, sparring, I like the freedom that I have inside that Octagon.

“But the discipline it takes to be a husband and father, I think that is much more difficult.

“And if I separate myself from my family – take one or two weeks – it just makes things more difficult for me.

“I miss my kids.

“And I don’t think I need to sacrifice this to be victorious.

“I did it last fight against (Mateusz) Gamrot.

“I flew my whole family all the way to Abu Dhabi.

“My daughter was 17 months old … tough flight on the way back … but I still made it work. For me it’s not an issue.”