Content warning: The subsequent text narrates occurrences of an exceptionally upsetting character.
Raja Jackson, offspring of erstwhile UFC light heavyweight titleholder Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, seemingly carried out a brutal assault upon a professional wrestler during a localized wrestling contest in California on a recent Saturday.
The troubling scenario unfolded in real-time on the streaming platform Kick. The footage portrays Jackson entering the wrestling area at a Knokx Pro Wrestling exhibition, lifting independent wrestler Stuart Smith — recognized as Syko Stu — over his head, and violently throwing him onto the ground. Subsequently, Jackson straddles the seemingly unconscious wrestler and delivers over 20 uninterrupted blows to his head before being forcibly separated by a group of other wrestlers.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful documented on Saturday night that the segment involving Jackson and Smith was pre-arranged. Nevertheless, the intensity of the apparently genuine punches and the resultant harm to Smith were unanticipated. It was reported that Smith was “urgently transported to a medical facility with significant injuries” following the event.
The situation seemingly emerged from a prior interaction earlier that day involving Jackson and Stu, which can be observed alongside Jackson’s concerning in-ring offensive.
Jackson, aged 25, possesses prior expertise as a professional MMA combatant. As the offspring of MMA royalty, Jackson achieved a 4-0 record in the sport’s amateur circuit before transitioning to the professional level in 2023. He subsequently suffered a defeat in his professional lightweight debut via a unanimous decision against Steve Collins at United Fight League 3.
Jackson’s father, former UFC champion Quinton Jackson, issued a declaration late Saturday night asserting that Smith was now “conscious and stable,” although Smith’s current health condition is yet to be validated. The UFC icon characterized his son’s attack as “a rehearsed action that went awry” — a term in wrestling signifying a staged conflict that unexpectedly became genuine — and stated that Raja “had no justification to participate in such an event.”
“I absolutely DO NOT approve of my son’s actions!” the elder Jackson penned. “He recently sustained a concussion from sparring exercises and should not have been involved in anything remotely involving physical contact. As a parent, I’m deeply worried about his well-being AND the welfare of Mr. Smith.”
I want to clarify some inaccuracies circulating about my son Raja. I have received confirmation that the wrestler (Stewart Smith, also known as Syko Stu) is responsive and in stable condition. Moments before Smith’s match, Raja was unexpectedly struck in the side of the head by him. Raja was informed that he could exact his “retribution” within the ring; I mistakenly assumed it was part of the spectacle. This was a misjudgment, and a planned routine that deviated from its intended course. Raja is an MMA fighter, not a professional wrestler, and should not have been involved in an event of this nature. I absolutely DO NOT condone my son’s actions! He suffered a concussion from sparring sessions only days prior and should not have participated in anything even remotely physical. As a father, I am profoundly concerned for his health and the well-being of Mr. Smith. Having said that, I am deeply saddened that this occurred, but my primary concern now is that Mr. Smith makes a swift recovery. I extend my apologies on my son’s behalf and to KICK for the predicament.
Dave Meltzer, a prominent wrestling historian and founder of the Wrestler Observer Newsletter, expressed on Saturday night that Jackson’s attack “may be the most appalling incident I’ve ever witnessed in a ring.”
Uncrowned will proceed to provide updates on this narrative as it unfolds.
