“They wanted the publicity”: Islam Makhachev's coach claims Syko Stu provoked Rampage Jackson’s son Raja Jackson during violent KnokX Pro Wrestling assault

Javier Mendez, the longtime coach of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, has spoken out about the violent incident involving Raja Jackson, the son of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

The clash happened on August 23, 2025, during a live KnokX Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles, California, when Raja attacked wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith. The assault left Smith with serious injuries, including broken bones in his face and missing teeth, and sparked a police investigation. Mendez believes the case is more complex than it first appears.

Javier Mendez questions Syko Stu’s role in Raja Jackson fight

Speaking on The Javier & Mo Show, Mendez said the videos he saw show more than just Raja Jackson losing control.

He explained that before the match, Smith appeared to provoke Raja by striking him with a drink can backstage while cameras were rolling.“What happened was not right. That the wrestler, in my opinion, from what I saw, looks like the cameras were rolling. He took an opportunity to get camera time,” Mendez said. “So, who knows what he was thinking? Maybe, well, this is Rampage’s son. Let me get some play here and blah blah blah.

Let’s get it going like that.”

During the match, Raja Jackson body-slammed Syko Stu and repeatedly punched him, while other wrestlers tried to pull him away. Javier Mendez admitted Raja went too far but insisted there was also provocation. “It could possibly be one of those scenarios, too. You could look at it that way. Also, there are a lot of ways this thing could be chopped up… The only thing that’s black and white is his excessive force after the opponent was subdued. Excessive.”Javier Mendez also said the wrestlers in the ring may have fueled the moment rather than calming it. “There were some wrestlers instigating. And I saw like 16 minutes of this thing. I only watched like three or four minutes, and I saw all I needed to see. It wasn’t all just him. It was not all just him. They wanted the publicity, too,” he added.Also Read: Quinton Rampage Jackson’s son Raja Jackson banned from Danger Pro Wrestling show after Syko Stu attack

Javier Mendez blames KnokX Pro Wrestling organizers for poor handling

Javier Mendez did not only blame Raja Jackson. He also placed part of the responsibility on the organizers of the KnokX Pro Wrestling event.

According to him, the promotion failed to prepare Raja, who is an MMA fighter with no wrestling experience, for an unscripted live show.

“The organization should not have put him in a situation where he’s not trained to be involved in. So, they’re partly to blame, too. You can’t just put it all on him. If you’re the organization, you’re the organization. Okay? You’re throwing an event. You’re perceived as the professionals. He’s not a wrestler. He’s not trained as a wrestler,” Javier

Mendez said on his podcast.He explained that Raja Jackson had no script, no coaching, and no idea how to perform in a pro wrestling match. “So, you put an MMA fighter in a wrestling situation. Don’t even give him a script. Don’t even show him how to do these things properly. He probably has never even practiced this,” Mendez added.The incident remains under police investigation in Los Angeles, with both Raja Jackson’s actions and the event’s organization under heavy scrutiny.