Raja Jackson’s Shocking 20-Punch Assault: Brutal In-Ring Attack

Disturbing Footage Emerges of Raja Jackson’s Apparent Unscripted Attack on Pro Wrestler

A video from a Knokx Pro Wrestling event in California on Saturday has sent shockwaves through the combat sports world, depicting Raja Jackson, the son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, launching a vicious and seemingly unscripted assault on professional wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith.

Content Warning: The following details and linked video contain footage of a violent physical assault that viewers may find extremely disturbing.

The incident, which was broadcast live on the streaming platform Kick, begins with Jackson entering the ring. He hoists the wrestler, Syko Stu, above his head and slams him violently onto the mat. What followed was alarming: Jackson mounted the seemingly unconscious Smith and proceeded to unleash a barrage of over 20 unanswered punches directly to his head. The attack only ceased when a swarm of other performers rushed into the ring to forcibly pull Jackson away.

Initial confusion surrounded the event, as scripted “works” are a core part of professional wrestling. However, the severity of the attack quickly suggested this was far beyond any planned performance. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that while a physical interaction was planned, the brutal onslaught of legitimate punches and the resulting injuries were completely unexpected. Stuart Smith was subsequently “rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.”

The altercation appears to have stemmed from a backstage exchange earlier in the day. [Watch the backstage exchange and the subsequent attack here (Content Warning: Extreme Violence)].

Raja Jackson, 25, is a professional Mixed Martial Artist. The son of MMA royalty, he held an undefeated 4-0 amateur record before losing his professional lightweight debut in 2023.

In response to the growing controversy, his father, former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, posted a lengthy statement on social media late Saturday. He claimed that Smith was now “awake and stable,” though this has not been independently confirmed by medical officials. The UFC legend called the incident “a work that went wrong” – wrestling terminology for a staged angle that turns into a real fight.

“I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!” Jackson wrote. “He suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact. As a father, I’m deeply concerned with his health AND the well being of Mr. Smith.”

He elaborated that Raja was unexpectedly hit backstage and was told he could get “payback” in the ring, a decision he condemned as “bad judgement.” He concluded by apologizing on his son’s behalf and to KICK for the situation, emphasizing his concern for Smith’s recovery.

Despite this explanation, the severity of the attack has been condemned. Renowned wrestling historian Dave Meltzer, founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, stated that Jackson’s attack “may be the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a ring.”

The wrestling and MMA communities are now awaiting further updates on the condition of Stuart Smith and any potential official repercussions for Raja Jackson following this deeply troubling event.