Sean Strickland, a former UFC middleweight champion, believes Raja Jackson, son of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, shouldn’t go to jail for assaulting pro wrestler Stuart Smith. In an August 24, 2025, post on X, Strickland shared his own legal troubles to argue for rehabilitation over prison. The attack at a Knokx Pro Wrestling event on August 23, 2025, left Smith hospitalized, prompting an LAPD investigation and debate about justice.
At the Knokx Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles, Raja Jackson, a 4-0 amateur MMA fighter, slammed Smith to the ground and punched him over 20 times. Another wrestler, Douglas Malo, was attacked while intervening. Smith, now stable with broken facial bones and lost teeth, has some memory of the incident, per his brother Andrew’s Facebook post:
“Stuart is conscious and does have some recollection of the events from the day of the attack. He’s currently resting and says, ‘Thank you for the love and support.’”
The LAPD is investigating Jackson for assault and battery. Video evidence shows Jackson attacking Smith after Smith allegedly smashed a beer can on Jackson’s forehead, prompting Jackson to say ringside, “I’m gonna really have to show him that you can’t just hit a f–king can on my goddamn face.”
No arrests have been reported, but the case remains active.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Raja’s father, apologized on X, saying, “I’m so sorry to the wrestling community for what happened. I was misled into thinking it was a real fight and so was Raja. He’s a pro MMA fighter and thought he was fighting, not doing a show. I’m sorry for everyone involved and will make sure it never happens again.”
“Jackson’s kid shouldn’t go to jail,” Strickland wrote on X. “Prison should always be a last resort.”
Strickland reflected on his own past.
“I was arrested at 19 for two Felony A GBIs [Great Bodily Injuries],” he wrote. “I would of spent 5 to 6 years in prison if the DA had its way. After 6 years in a cell coming out with nothing, being indoctrinated with gangs and violence, I guarantee I would of killed someone. There was one guy telling me about how he picked up a murder charge and I remembered being impressed by him. That would of been my future.”
A plea deal for 100 days of jail or work release, anger management, and restitution kept him from a worse path.
Why Rehabilitation Matters
Strickland believes prison can ruin young offenders.
“Instead I plead and took 100 days jail or work release. A ton of anger management and a decent amount of victim restitution. After a miserable two years of court. Luckily a lawyer took my case for free because I didn’t have a dollar to my name,” he wrote.
“Bottom line is it’s not about the person in prison. Its about who they become when they’re out of prison, and I believe if I wasn’t offered that deal I would be dead today and more than likely would of resulted in someone else’s death as well. My two cents … rehabilitation over prison always.”
He argues reform prevents future harm.
Jackson’s kid shouldn’t go to jail. Prison should always be a last resort.
I was arrested at 19 for two felony a GBIs. I would of spent 5 to 6 years in prison if the DA had its way.
After 6 years in a cell coming out with nothing, being indoctrinated with gangs and violence. I…
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 25, 2025
In my case I was sued and had to pay victim restitution… although my case was a little different. They said I had a right to self defense but I used excessive force…
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 25, 2025
What people dont understand by not trying to rehabilitate these people you are making many more victims in the future……. going to court, them making me do so much bs really chsnged my life
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 25, 2025
Addressing justice for Smith, Strickland said:
“In my case I was sued and had to pay victim restitution.” He added, “What people don’t understand by not trying to rehabilitate these people you are making many more victims in the future.”
Strickland’s outspoken nature is well-documented. In 2024, he admitted to a “financial dispute” with coach Eric Nicksick. In 2025, he faced a six-month NSAC suspension for attacking Luis Hernandez at Tuff-N-Uff 145, reducible with anger management. His comments on Jackson reflect his belief in second chances, shaped by his own legal past.
Sean Strickland grew up in a troubled home with an abusive father. He started martial arts at 14 and turned pro in MMA in 2008. Joining the UFC in 2014, he went 17-6, with wins over Uriah Hall, Jack Hermansson, and Abus Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76 in 2023. He won the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in 2023 but lost it to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in 2024. His latest loss to du Plessis at UFC 312 in February 2025 showed his grit despite a broken nose. He trains at Xtreme Couture.
