ROBERT Whittaker insists he can be healed in time to headline a UFC blockbuster at the famed Madison Square Garden in November — an honour that would make him the envy of Australian boxing greats like Jeff Fenech, Kostya Tszyu and Michael Katsidis.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Whittaker’s management is pushing for the UFC middleweight champ to top UFC 231 in New York City, most likely against Long Island local Chris Weidman, if his recovery from a broken right hand continues unhindered.

media_camera Robert Whittaker after defending his middleweight title against Yoel Romero. Picture: AP

The news continues an incredible rise for the Sydney father-of-three who now holds the tag of Australia’s No. 1 fighter.

Outstanding in his first title defence against Cuban monster Yoel Romero earlier this month, Whittaker was dropped twice and fought almost 25 minutes with a broken hand before eventually winning a split decision that is now a lead contender for UFC Fight of the Year.

Dubbed Bobby Knuckles by American fight fans, Whittaker also secured a new sponsorship deal with US gaming giant Bethesda after the gutsy win, while his Instagram account jumped to 300,000 followers — a figure which puts him among Australia’s 30 most followed athletes.

TOUGH: Moment Whittaker knew hand was broken

Better, the 27-year-old, who is now on a run of nine straight wins inside the Octagon, has since emerged from surgery insisting he would be ready to defend by “November or December”.

“So Madison Square Garden is a possibility,” manager Titus Day said.

“Rob’s the middleweight champ and his last two fights have been wars. So if his hand heals up as quickly as we’re hoping, we would definitely push for him to compete at the greatest fight arena in the world.

media_camera Dana White wraps the belt around Robert Whittaker. Picture: Getty

“And Chris Weidman, as the former champ, would be a perfect rival for that fight.

“I’ve spoken to Rob this week and he definitely wants to be ready by the end of the year.

“His surgery went well, it was a clean break which is the best you can get, and there doesn’t seem to have been any complications.

“So if all goes well, we’ll definitely look at that New York card. It’s traditionally one of the biggest on the UFC calendar and after the way Rob has won his last two fights over in the States, there is huge interest in him now.”

UFC 225: Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero media_camera UFC 225 in Chicago, USA. Rob Whittaker (black shorts) beats Yoel Romero over a 5 round war. Picture: Sam Ruttyn 1 of 24 media_camera UFC 225 in Chicago, USA. Rob Whittaker (black shorts) beats Yoel Romero over a 5 round war. Picture: Sam Ruttyn 2 of 24 media_camera UFC 225 in Chicago, USA. Rob Whittaker (black shorts) beats Yoel Romero over a 5 round war. Picture: Sam Ruttyn 3 of 24 media_camera UFC 225 in Chicago, USA. Rob Whittaker (black shorts) beats Yoel Romero over a 5 round war. Picture: Sam Ruttyn 4 of 24 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 20 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

Headlining the Garden has long seemed something of a pipe dream for Australia’s greatest fighters.

Indeed, despite their storied careers, and several blockbuster fights Stateside, legends like Fenech, Tszyu and Katsidis never fought inside MSG.

Same deal Jeff Horn, who was supposed to fight Terence Crawford at the venue before his bout was rescheduled to Las Vegas.

media_camera Chris Weidman ended Anderson Silva’s UFC reign. Picture: Zuffa LLC/Getty

The last Australian to headline MSG was Daniel Geale, who fought Gennady Golovkin for the WBA (Super) middleweight and IBO middleweight titles in 2014.

However, the Real Deal was knocked out in the third round.

Other Aussies have also appeared on undercards at the Garden, including heavyweight Kali Meehan.

If Whittaker fails to be ready in time for the New York event, there are two more big UFC cards in December, the later of which will be held in Las Vegas.

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