LAS VEGAS – Derrick Lewis promises he will be at his best when he enters the octagon to challenge Daniel Cormier for the UFC heavyweight title next month at UFC 230.

After scrambling for a headliner for UFC 230, Lewis (21-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) got the call to challenge Cormier (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) for UFC gold. It’s a four-week turnaround for “The Black Beast” after a thrilling come-from-behind knockout of Alexander Volkov at UFC 229 this month, and there were concerns about whether it was a good idea to take another fight so soon after.

Although Lewis still has some swelling on his face from a tough fight against Volkov, he said he’s feeling good and will be in peak form when he challenges for UFC gold.

“I will be 100 percent going into this fight,” Lewis today said at a UFC 230 media event in Las Vegas. “I went to the doctor and got cleared. Everything checked out pretty good. They basically said I was good to fight.”

UFC 230 takes place Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Lewis vs. Cormier headlines the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Lewis might claim to be “100 percent,” but Cormier has admitted he’s still dealing with a lingering hand injury stemming from his title-winning knockout of Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 in July. “DC” said he feels confident in his abilities regardless, and some have taken that as the champion overlooking his challenger.

Only Cormier truly knows whether he’s giving Lewis the appropriate amount of respect ahead of UFC 230. However, Lewis said not doing so would be a crucial mistake on Cormier’s behalf.

“I believe he’s thinking this is going to be an easy fight for himself,” Lewis said. “Go ahead and think that. It’s crazy I even made it this far without he training I put in before each and every fight. I’m serious, I don’t stay in the gym each day like my opponents. I spend probably 30 minutes (training), five minutes sitting and five minutes on my phone posting memes and stuff.

“I go into every fight with a bad back and overweight and a damn-near diabetic. It doesn’t matter to me that he’s coming into a fight with just a bad hand. That’s good for him, then.”

Lewis, 33, has a lot of positive fanfare behind him after his knockout of Volkov at UFC 229 and memorable post-fight interview with Joe Rogan afterward. His title shot has been met with some criticism, though, because former champ Miocic had some support for an immediate rematch after dropping the belt to Cormier over the summer.

All Lewis did was answer a call and accept the fight, but he said he agrees Miocic should have been ahead of him in line.

“It’s just one (opportunity) that I can’t pass up because I know there’s a lot of guys in this division that probably deserve a shot more than I’m getting,” Lewis said. “I probably don’t deserve a shot more than Stipe, should have probably got the shot. But, ain’t no telling when the next time I’m going to get this opportunity, so I had to jump on it anyway.”

Lewis has been notorious for admitting to slacking during fight preparation and only putting in the minimal effort for his fights. With a compacted training camp, though, he said that’s not the case for UFC 230.

According to Lewis, he’s pushing himself to his absolute limit ahead of the matchup with Cormier. Lewis said he’s aware of the opportunity that’s ahead of him at the moment on he intends to make the most of it – so Cormier better be ready.

“As long as I’m 100 percent, I’m in good shape. I don’t care what he’s going to do or what he thinks he can do,” Lewis said. “I’m just going to worry about what I can do. … If you don’t take me serious, it’s a mistake. I want him to take me serious, I don’t want no excuses or nothing like that. I can’t wait for that fight.”

For more on UFC 230, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.