The buildup behind the brutal off-script fight that saw the son of ex-UFC champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson leave a wrestler fighting for his life has now emerged.
Fans were left horrified when a live stream caught Raja Jackson, an MMA fighter, repeatedly punching Stuart Smith in the head as he lay motionless on the floor during an unplanned attack in the ring at an independent event on Saturday.
Now, fresh video has surfaced capturing the moment that sparked the shockingly brutal pummeling at the KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy event in Los Angeles.
In a clip shared to social media, Smith – who goes by ‘Syko Stu’ – is captured smashing a can over Jackson’s head as he stood talking to a group of men.
The incident, which appeared to take place somewhere outside before the botched wrestling event, sparked a furious reaction from 25-year-old Jackson, who squared up to the wrestler.
As Smith, 44, attempted to put his hands on Jackson’s shoulders, he shoved him back before claiming, ‘I will f*** him up bro.’ Smith is then told by another wrestler: ‘He’s going to come out on your match.’
According to an X account that shared the clip, ‘Syko Stu’ incorrectly believed that Jackson was a wrestler and was attempting to set up a storyline for in the ring later.
Storylines are common in pro wrestling matches, which are heavily scripted and orchestrated, but not in mixed martial arts.
He reportedly apologized to Jackson. However, that seemingly didn’t quell Jackson’s rage as it spilled over into the ring.
A live stream on Kick later caught the unplanned moment Jackson leapt into the ring and began pummeling Smith..
Jackson had leapt up from his front-row seat and entered the ring. He then lifted Smith over his head before slamming him to the floor, with the wrestler’s head bouncing off the canvas.
Jackson Jr., a 25-year-old professional MMA fighter, had to be dragged off Smith and restrained by around half a dozen people. According to reports, Jackson was supposed to be part of the show but the ‘damage’ done to Smith was not planned, with Syko Stu later taken to the hospital.
In another clip, which appears to show Jackson fleeing the scene, he can be heard saying: ‘I’m tired of motherf***ers playing with me… I’m going to stand up for my f***ing self because I’m tired of everybody playing with me.’
The Los Angeles Police Department are investigating the incident after being called to the wrestling event Saturday night, according to TMZ.
The shocking incident sparked outrage online and ‘Rampage’, 47, later took to social media to apologize for his son’s actions.
He also claimed that ‘Syko Stu’ is ‘awake and stable,’ writing on X: ‘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 a part of the show.’
‘Rampage’, who had 49 professional fights and was a UFC light-heavyweight champion, continued: ‘It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong. 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. As a father, I’m 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.’
