UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has been plagued with a painful back issue, that shows on his face even through the adrenaline. However, during a recent appearance on MMAjunkie Radio, ‘The Black Beast’ said he has undergone treatment with the same specialist who works with Tiger Woods, and the results have been dramatic.

Lewis had a number of shots in the spot, which left him sore for days. But now he describes the back as “brand new.”

I was 100 percent yesterday, said Lewis, as transcribed by Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. I was taking it slow the last week, but I really turned it up yesterday, and it was feeling real good.

I feel like if I had done this a couple of years ago, I would have been champion. I believe I would have dominated a lot of my fights. To say I’ve been winning with the type of injury I’ve been dealing with, it’s been a blessing. Now, hopefully, the fans really see my potential.

Before, I had to train for a little bit, then rest, because my back would flare up. Now, I don’t have to worry about that anymore. I can go 15 minutes, or 25 minutes, without it hurting.

Lewis says prior to the new treatment that throwing a right hand hurt him, and now it doesn’t. His newly freed right will next be deployed vs. Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor on October 6, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event fighters will each make millions; Lewis not so much. Given UFC president Dana White’s recent announcement that the company is worth $7 billion, Lewis had a realization.

I was trying to add up how much I was getting paid compared to how much they’re worth,” said Lewis. “And I was like, ‘Damn, we all getting f***ed.’