Raja Jackson, the son of UFC legend and former mixed martial artist Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department after he violently knocked out a wrestling opponent.
Per TMZ, the Saturday incident occurred at a KnokX Pro Academy wrestling event in Los Angeles. Footage of the incident shows Jackson repeatedly punching his opponent, Syko Stu, and in the face, leaving him unconscious before other wrestlers enter the ring and restrain him.
Officers with the LAPD ultimately responded to the scene and took a police report. An investigation into the incident has since been launched.
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Syko Stu was hospitalized in the wake of the attack, and an insider informed the entertainment news outlet that he was “fine and recovering.” Douglas Malo, who was among the wrestlers who tried to restrain Raja during the violent attack, also told USA TODAY that Syko Stu was conscious and able to speak as of Sunday, though he suffered facial fractures and lost “a lot of teeth.”
“He was choking on his own blood and teeth,” Malo recalled. “Somebody reminded me there’s kids there and then I was like ‘oh my God.'”
Prior to the match, Syko Stu was seen striking Raja’s head with a beer can, CBS Sports reported. Syko Stu then repeatedly rendered an apology to Raja as he thought the latter was a worker. Jackson and Syko Stu’s subsequent matchup was supposed to be scripted, but he allegedly pummeled his opponent.
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Raja’s father took to X to address the incident and apologize to Syko Stu on his son’s behalf. “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. It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong,” Jackson, 47, wrote on Sunday.
“Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this. 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.”
He added: “As a father, im deeply concerned with his health AND the well being of Mr. Smith. 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.”
KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy also issued a statement. “First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with our brother Mr. Stuart Smith (Syko Stu) as he remains a priority and we are monitoring his well being. What was supposed to be a planned and agreed upon wrestling spot, turned into a selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Mr. Smith,” the statement said.
“This egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred. In the 17 years of operation of KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, there has never been anything as heinous take place such as this and we apologize to our patrons and fans.”
Meanwhile, a source affiliated with the event told TMZ that it is guaranteed Raja won’t feature in a KnokX Pro wrestling match again.
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