Aussie UFC champion Alex Volkanovski has shown an ex-AFL star what it feels like to be kicked by the world's No. 1 pound for pound fighter - and revealed the insane way he conditions his shins.

Volkanovski visited the Triple M studio ahead of UFC 284 in Perth, where he is hoping to add to his legacy when he challenges Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship.

'The Great' spoke on Xav & Michelle for Breakfast about what it means for him to be challenging to be a two-division champion, being friends with pint-sized Hasbulla and conditioning his shins by kicking down palm trees. 

Radio host and former AFL player Xavier Ellis then volunteered to be kicked by Volkanovski - a decision he's probably regretting now.

The champ happily obliged once he checked he wouldn't be legally responsible if he seriously hurt Ellis, and the pair faced each other in the studio.

The ex-AFL man stood head and shoulders above Volkanovski, but the kick - delivered at half-pace to Ellis' left leg - almost dropped him to the floor.

Ellis took to Instagram afterwards to thank the champ for going easy.

'Took a leg kick from the champ Alexander The Great Volkanovski. Thank god he was kind,' he wrote.

If Volkanovski can beat Makhachev on February 12 he will join the likes of Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes as simultaneous multi-division champs.

The 33-year-old from Wollongong is coming off a outstanding performance against all-time great Max Holloway in July and is currently riding a 22-fight win streak - having not lost an MMA fight since 2013.

Volkanovski is currently working hard to bulk up in size for the new weight class - but doesn't think he will be at a strength disadvantage inside the Octagon.

'We got the dietician working on the plan. I've got strength and conditioning happening and I'm eating over 4,000 calories a day, which is hard,' Volkanovski told reporters.

'I never thought I'd complain about eating too much food.

'It's going to be like a David and Goliath, because everyone thinks he's the strongest man on the planet, best grappling anyone has ever seen.

 'The way they're talking about him - it's just going to look incredible when I get the job done.'