Jack Kenmare
Warning: The following post contains scenes of extreme violence.
Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, is being widely criticised after he appeared to assault a professional wrestler at an independent wrestling event.
The 25-year-old MMA fighter was live on Kick, a video streaming platform, when the shocking incident took place at the Knokx Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles, California.
As seen in a video that has since gone viral, Jackson can be seen slamming independent wrestler Stuart Smith, ring name Syko Stu, to the mat before unloading more than 20 hard punches to his head.
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After 15 uncomfortable seconds, a handful of wrestlers stopped Jackson from attacking a seemingly unconscious Smith, as screams could be heard from those in attendance.
The clip soon made its way onto social media, with Dave Meltzer, the renowned journalist and founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, saying Jackson's attack could be "the worst thing I've ever seen in a ring."
A short time later and Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp provided some insight into the disturbing incident.
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"Based on what I've heard, the spot with Raja Jackson at Knokx Pro Wrestling was planned," he wrote on X. "However, Raja Jackson knocked the person out -- ring name Syko Stu-- and followed up with a lot of heavy punches to Syko Stu, which were not planned to do that kind of damage."
Sapp added: "Stu was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. We are working to find out more and have Stu in our thoughts."
The incident in question appears to stem from a frosty pre-event exchange between Jackson and Smith. As seen in a clip on YouTube, Jackson reacted badly to the wrestler's attempt at a "work".
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Raja's father, former UFC champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, posted a statement on X claiming his son's attack was "a work that went wrong".
His statement read: "I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja. I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler (Stewart Smith aka Syko Stu) is awake and stable."
"Raja was unexpectedly hit in the side of the head by him moments before Smith’s match, Raja was told that he could get his “payback” in the ring, I thought it was apart of the show," he continued.
"It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong. Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this.
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"I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL! He suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact. As a father, im deeply concerned with his health AND the well being of Mr. Smith."
He added: "That being said I’m very upset that any of this happened, but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery. I apologize on his behalf and to KICK for the situation."