A recent livestreamed wrestling event in Los Angeles has ignited a police investigation following a shocking incident involving Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. During what was intended to be a staged performance, Raja Jackson was seen delivering a series of punches to the face of wrestler Stuart Smith, also known as Syko Stu. The disturbing video, which quickly went viral, captures the moment Jackson jumped into the ring and began attacking Smith amidst a wrestling match.
The incident occurred on Saturday night at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy in Sun Valley. The video footage shows Jackson lifting Smith and slamming him onto the mat, causing Smith's head to hit the canvas. Following this, Jackson unleashed a flurry of 23 punches to Smith’s face while onlookers gasped in disbelief. Within moments, two other wrestlers intervened, attempting to pull Jackson off Smith, but he was determined to continue the assault. The chaotic scene escalated until four costumed wrestlers managed to restrain Jackson in a corner of the ring.
As the situation unfolded, the audience reacted with horror, and the Los Angeles Police Department was alerted around 9 p.m. Saturday regarding a report of attempted murder. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already left the scene. Smith was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. A police spokesperson confirmed that a felony battery report had been filed, and detectives are now investigating the matter. As of Monday morning, no arrests had been made.
In the aftermath of the incident, Quinton Jackson took to social media platform X to address the situation. He revealed that his son had been told he could get his “payback” in the ring after being struck by Smith prior to the event. Video evidence from the weekend shows a confrontation where Smith seemingly hit Raja with a drink can. Quinton Jackson commented, “I thought it was part of the show. It was bad judgment, and a work that went wrong. Raja is an MMA fighter, not a pro wrestler, and had no business being involved in an event like this. I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!”
Despite indications that some aspects of the confrontation may have been coordinated, officials from KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy issued a statement saying the incident was not scripted. They described the event as a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence” against Smith, emphasizing that nothing of this nature had ever occurred in their 17 years of operation. They also expressed their apologies to patrons and fans for the distress caused by the incident.
Legal experts are weighing in on the potential ramifications of Raja Jackson's actions. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, stated, “No one is going to consent to broken bones or broken teeth.” While consent can sometimes be a defense in sports-related assaults, Rahmani indicated that Jackson's actions clearly crossed the line into real violence. Attorney Eric Faddis echoed these sentiments, arguing that even if an agreement existed for a physical altercation, Jackson's attack went beyond acceptable limits. “This can’t be consented to,” he asserted.
Quinton Jackson expressed his concern for Smith's recovery, noting that Raja had recently suffered a concussion from a sparring session and should not have participated in any physical activity. He stated, “I’m very upset that any of this happened, but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery.” Reports indicate that Smith lost several teeth and sustained multiple fractures in his face. On social media, Andrew Smith confirmed that his brother was conscious and had some recollection of the events surrounding the attack.
In the wake of the incident, video footage emerged from Raja Jackson's Kick channel, where he was heard expressing his frustration. He stated, “I’m tired of motherf— playing with me, bru. At the end of the day, I’m gonna stand up for myself because I’m tired of everybody f— playing with me!” As of Monday, Jackson's Kick channel appeared to be inaccessible.
The incident raises significant questions about safety and consent in staged combat sports, as well as the responsibilities of those involved in such events. The ongoing investigation by law enforcement will likely shed more light on this troubling event.
