Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s emotional apology after son Raja’s attack on Syko Stu

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has spoken publicly following a violent incident involving his son, Raja Jackson, at a wrestling event in Los Angeles.

Raja, 25, shocked fans on Saturday, August 23, when a planned appearance at a Knokx Pro Wrestling show escalated into a disturbing assault on independent wrestler Stuart Smith, known in the ring as Syko Stu. Footage from the event, streamed live on Kick, showed Raja slamming Smith onto the mat before delivering a flurry of punches that left the wrestler hospitalized with serious injuries.

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In a statement posted online, Rampage confirmed that Smith is now “awake and stable” and sought to clarify what he described as “misinformation” surrounding the incident.

“I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler (Stewart Smith aka Syko Stu) is awake and stable,” Rampage wrote. “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 part of the show. It was bad judgment, and a work that went wrong.”

Rampage stressed that his son had no business being in the ring, pointing out that Raja is an MMA fighter, not a professional wrestler. He also revealed that Raja had suffered a concussion just days earlier during sparring, which made the situation even more dangerous.

“I don’t condone my son’s actions at all,” Rampage continued. “As a father, I’m deeply concerned with his health and the well-being of Mr. Smith. 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.”

The elder Jackson’s apology comes as the wrestling world debates whether Raja’s attack was an accident born out of poor planning or an avoidable lapse in judgment. Wrestling historian Dave Meltzer called the sequence “one of the worst things I’ve ever seen in a ring,” while other commentators questioned why Raja was placed in a position for which he was neither trained nor fit.

For Rampage, however, the priority is no longer debate, but healing. His statement reflects a father’s attempt to balance accountability, concern for his son, and sympathy for the injured wrestler — while vowing to prevent such a mistake from happening again.

Here’s his full statement:

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…

— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) August 24, 2025

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. 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, 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.