<p>The first episode of Sportsbet’s latest show has officially launched and fight fans, you’re not going to want to miss this one.</p> <p>Introducing Smash Talk with Volk! That’s right, one of the greatest UFC fighters and Aussie athletes of all time Alexander Volkanovski is jumping on the mic to talk all things MMA.</p> <p>Episode one of Smack Talk saw Volk join host Felix Von Hof to cover a host of UFC-related topics. These included Israel Adesanya’s recent loss, Khabib getting removed from a flight and of course, the upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/predictions/ufc-312-betting-tips">UFC 312</a> card.</p> <p>Let’s see what Volk had to say about UFC 312 in Sydney, as well as checking out some of the predictions he’s offered up for certain fights on the card.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Smack Talk with Volk – Looking Ahead to UFC 312</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Volk started his UFC 312 analysis close to home, offering up his thoughts on local talent Jake Matthew, who is fighting Francisco Prado on Sunday.</p> <p>“I feel like he can beat anyone in the division, especially him being so athletic and then, you know, the training he's been doing.”</p> <p>“He's an athlete, a great striker, great boxing, good kicks, solid kicks, great wrestling, great jiu-jitsu.”</p> <p>“Whether he gets a finish or just three rounds of him just looking like an absolute beast, one of your better bets on the card would be Jake Matthews.”</p> <p>Later on in the piece, Volkanovski turned his attention towards another&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/ufc-news/aussies-fighting-at-ufc-312">Aussie</a> – Jimmy “the Brute” Crute.</p> <p>“I think he's found the love for the sport again, so I think we're going to see a dangerous Jimmy Crute again,” said Volk.</p> <p>When quizzed on a potential outcome for Crute’s bout against Rodolfo Bellato, Alex had this to say.</p> <p>“He's got some great submissions, so I think you might see a submission.”</p> <p>During the debut episode of Smack Talk, Volkanovski also revealed he will be attending UFC 312, but not in a fighting capacity.</p> <p>Instead of scrapping in the octagon like usual, Volk will be cornering his long-time training partner, fellow Aussie Colby Thicknesse.</p> <p>To add even more intrigue, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-312-du-plessis-vs-strickland/colby-thicknesse-v-aleksandre-topuria-8915647">Thicknesse is set to face Aleksandre Topuria.</a> If that last name looks familiar, that’s because he is the younger brother of Ilia, one of Volk's main rivals.</p> <p>So naturally, Ilia will be in the opposite corner, supporting his sibling. Fireworks loading? Potentially according to Volk.</p> <p>“If he says the wrong thing, maybe it’s on. Who knows?”</p> <p>Moving on to the fight everyone wants to hear about, the main event between&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/predictions/du-plessis-vs-strickland-preview">Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland</a>, Volkanovski had this to say.</p> <p>“Man, it's a tricky one. But I think it goes pretty similar to the first one. I think it's going to be very competitive like that. Sean's going to be in it the whole time.”</p> <p>“With Du Plessis, I think he knows he's in for a war. He's going to be training hard for it, but he knows he needs to edge the rounds.”</p> <p>“He probably knows he won't put Sean Strickland away. So go to a decision and he knows them later rounds are going to start getting difficult.”</p> <p>“So, he needs to do more and make sure he wins the early rounds and be fit enough to win the later rounds.</p> <p>“So, I'm probably going to lean towards Du Plessis, I think it goes similar to the first fight.”</p> <p>Well, there you go folks, the great man has spoken. Volk is backing Du Plessis to edge Strickland by decision again.</p> <p>For a full preview of the fight, you can check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/predictions/du-plessis-vs-strickland-preview">Du Plessis vs Strickland Preview</a> and if you want more tips and predictions for Alexander Volkanovski, make sure to follow Smack Talk on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/what-is-the-feed">Sportsbet’s Feed.</a></p> <p>The full episode of Smack Talk with Volk is available to watch now.&nbsp;</p>