Viral Video Shows Ex-UFC Star’s Son Attack Wrestler in Live Event
Viral Video Shows Ex-UFC Star’s Son Attack Wrestler in Live Event
By BBC Community | 24 August 2025
A shocking video that shows one of the children of ex- UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson wrestling professional during a live show went viral, causing an outrage and discussion within wrestlers and MMA communities.
The incident occurred at an Knokx Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles and involved Raja Jackson who is the 25-year-old son of Rampage along with wrestling champion Stuart Smith, better known to his fans by the name Syko Stu. The video, live streamed on Kick and then quickly went viral on social media, attracting the attention of both critics and viewers.
What Happened in the Ring
According to eyewitnesses and accounts The confrontation of Jackson Smith and Jackson Smith was initially planned in the context of a show. But, the incident quickly escalated into what’s been described as a savage attack.
This video shows Raja Jackson lifting Smith above his head before crashing Smith with force on the floor of the ring. After the initial blow, Jackson continued to strike Smith and he appeared to be unconscious before wrestlers intervened to help pull Smith off. The intensity and the apparent authenticity of the strike resulted in the audience being stunned into silence.
Fighting journalist Sean Ross Sapp explained on X (formerly Twitter) that when it was originally designed, “Raja Jackson knocked the person out–ring name Syko Stu–and followed up with a lot of heavy punches…which were not planned to do that kind of damage.”
The paramedics immediately attended to Smith and he was taken to the hospital nearby to receive treatment. The injuries he sustained were described as severe however, later updates showed Smith was stable and awake.
The Background
The context was further revealed following the virality of the video. In the previous moments the clip was resurfaced with another showing Smith hitting Jackson on the head side with an unidentified object. Rampage Jackson claimed the incident was intended to be “payback” within the staged setting of the wrestling show but admitted that the fight became out of hand.
“I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja,” Rampage posted on his website. “The wrestler (Stewart Smith, also known as Syko Sturdy) is stable and awake. Raja was hit on the face by Smith moments before Smith’s match. Raja was informed that it was possible to get his “payback by ringside. I believed it was part of the spectacle. It was poor judgement and a job which went wrong.”
Raja Jackson is a trained MMA fighter but is not an official wrestler, which led to the mistaken assumption of the arena. “Raja is a MMA fighter, not a pro wrestler, and had no business involved in an event like this,” Rampage said. “I don’t condone my son’s actions whatsoever. He suffered a concussion while the fight just days ago and was not allowed to do anything even remotely involving physically contact.”
Comments from members of the Wrestling and MMA Community
The incident quickly generated responses from the both wrestling and MMA communities. Fans discussed the responsibilities of the promoters, participants or even Rampage Jackson. A lot of people expressed concern about the safety procedures in independent wrestling shows in particular when it involves athletes who have backgrounds in other combat sports.
A well-known wrestling commentator stated, “This is why mixing diverse styles in a live arena with no proper preparations could be very dangerous. Independent promotions must be extremely cautious in inviting fighters who are not properly trained in the use of scripted wrestling techniques.”
On social media, users voiced mixed reactions of anger, remorse and amazement. The video footage appeared across X, Reddit, and other platforms. There were many condemning Raja Jackson for his actions and others arguing whether the incident could be attributed to Smith’s fault due to his “payback” context.
Expert Opinions on Safety and Liability
Combat sports analysts weigh on the dangers of using mixed-discipline athletes for staging events. Doctor. Lisa Thompson, a medical doctor who treats sports injuries, stated, “Even trained wrestlers are trained for choreography, but and not for real strikes from a MMA-trained athlete. This increases the risk of serious injuries.”
Experts in legal have proposed possible liability concerns for promoters, saying”that “if an event involves real violence beyond the scripted content, there could be grounds for civil action, especially when injuries occur due to negligence or lack of safety protocols.”
Independent wrestling organizations typically rely on trust and rehearsal routines to guarantee performers their safety. In the case of Raja Jackson incident demonstrates the dangers of boundaries being misinterpreted or not respected.
Rampage Jackson Speaks Out
Rampage Jackson’s statement on the public record emphasized his concerns for Smith and his son’s health. Jackson wrote “As an father, I am deeply worried about Raja’s health and the health and well-being for Mr. Smith. However I’m extremely unhappy that this occurred, but my main concern right now is ensuring that the Mr. Smith will make a rapid recovery.”
He said that Raja had recently suffered a concussion while sparring and was not taking part in a live wrestling competition with intense physical contact. “He had no business doing this,” Rampage repeated. “It was a lapse in judgment and a situation that should never have occurred.”
The Broader Implications
The incident raises questions regarding the ever-changing lines that separate professional and non-combat sports particularly MMA. Although staged fights are based on cooperation and choreography and coordination, the addition of fighters who have been trained to fight in real life can result in volatile situations.
It also highlights the risks associated with live-streaming platforms like Kick which permit live broadcasting in real-time without moderating. The spread of the footage heightened the scrutiny of the public and led to debates on accountability security, accountability, and the responsibility of both performers and promoters.
Safety Protocols in Independent Wrestling
Independent wrestling shows usually have limited resources and heavily rely on performers’ experiences. In contrast to major promotions they might not have strict rehearsals, medical tests, or a trained referee to prevent incidents.
The Dr. Thompson added, “Even even if everyone is in agreement to a predetermined result, the execution is vital. MMA fighters are trained for full-contact strikes, but without adequate training and understanding of proper techniques injuries are very likely.”
The incident has provoked debates regarding whether fighters who have been trained in MMA should take part in professional wrestling competitions without further training in the safest performance techniques.
Public Reaction
The social media posts on the internet included a range of emotions, from anger to support. Many people expressed concern about Syko Stu’s healing, while others questioned the morality of Raja Jackson’s behavior. Commentaries pointed out the fine line between entertainment and real violence in combat sports.
A Reddit user wrote “It’s terrifying to watch. MMA is real fight wrestling is performance. Combining them with no coordination could lead to catastrophe.” Another person commented, “I feel sorry for both. The kid was not trying to cause harm however he didn’t realize the dangers he was entering into.”
Recovery and Follow-Up
According to the most recent news, Stuart Smith remains hospitalized suffering from injuries, even though Smith is reportedly awake and stable. The details of his complete time to recover have not been released, however medical experts advise that concussions as well as repeated head traumas require constant observation.
Raja Jackson has not made an official statement on his own, however, he has admitted via family channels that the situation grew more complicated. Rampage Jackson has asked for his family to remain in privacy while the investigations and recovery continue.
Conclusion
A viral footage showing Raja Jackson attacking Syko Stu in a live wrestling match is an eloquent reminder of the dangers in combining real-world combat skills with a staged performance. Although the event was intended to serve as “payback” within a scripted show but the results were very real and left both the victim as well as the MMA participant in a state of increased attention.
Experts and fans alike are urging clearer security measures and better communication when combat sports intersect. The incident has brought back questions about the role of promoters, athletes and streaming platforms to ensure that entertainment doesn’t turn into real harm.
As of now the wrestling community and fans across the globe await information on Smith’s health, and Smith’s incident is an example of what could be wrong when boundaries of professional wrestling are not respected in the excitement of live performances.
