UFC legend Tony Ferguson says he 'knows' how the Raja Jackson and Syko Stu situation will unfold as he shared his thoughts on the shocking incident.
Syko Stu - real name Stuart Smith - was attacked by Jackson, son of ex-UFC champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, during an unplanned assault at an independent professional wrestling event in Los Angeles last weekend.
Jackson, a professional MMA fighter, entered the ring before slamming Syko Stu onto the canvas. He then punched him repeatedly in the head in horrific footage that was streamed live.
The 25-year-old has been widely condemned for his actions and is currently the subject of a police investigation.
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Syko Stu's wife, Contessa Patterson, has since launched an official GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and described the incident as an 'unscripted assault'.
Ferguson, who makes his boxing debut on Saturday at MisFits 22, wishes both side well and believes Jackson will handle the situation given he knows him personally.
The former interim UFC lightweight champion also hopes it brings the Jackson family 'closer together'.
"I think it's very unfortunate of what had happened. I think it was a boiling pot that was just stirring from as far as when he got kicked to when his dad said a couple of things," he told SPORTbible.
"I just think some athletes... they don't make the right decision at the right time and that's when you need someone to talk to. You need to be able to go out there and do that and unfortunately, he wasn't able to do that.
"Nowadays with influences and everything... I think everybody wants to do everything for those hearts and those likes. I wish him the best because I know the kid and I hate to see something like that."
Asked what punishment Jackson should face, Ferguson replied: "I don't know... it's none of my business. I'm not going to really comment on it... I wish him the best. I don't wish bad on anybody. I've been on both sides of everything.
"I know he's going to handle it... hopefully it brings their family closer together and hopefully they can get through this thing."
Tony Ferguson reveals 'UFC's message' to his boxing fight
Ferguson has been out of action since his defeat to Michael Chiesa in the UFC back in August 2024.
He was subsequently released from his UFC contract, having enjoyed a stellar career inside the famed Octagon - beating the likes of Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone and Rafael dos Anjos.
But the 41-year-old returns to the fight game this weekend in the shape of a boxing bout against popular social media influencer Salt Papi.
Ferguson vs. Papi is one of the featured bouts on the stacked MisFits card from Manchester's AO Arena.
While 'El Cucuy' hasn't been in contact with Dana White ahead of his boxing debut, he did reveal a rousing message from the promotion's chief business officer Hunter Campbell.
Asked if White has reached out to him ahead of his fight, Ferguson told SPORTbible: "No not yet. I've talked to Hunter [Campbell] which is pretty cool," before revealing what he said: "'Lets f**king go'."
He added: "I don't really talk to Dana too much. If I do, I'm always sending him a picture of a squirrel with a big sack and always says, 'these nuts'. My relationships with them are a little different but they [UFC] wish me luck."
Topics: Tony Ferguson, Spotlight, Wrestling, UFC
Nasir Jabbar