Strickland comes to the defense of the son of a former UFC champion after an assault at an event: 'He doesn't deserve jail time'

Sean Strickland in a post-victory interview at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

Sean Strickland came to the defense of Raja Jackson, son of Rampage Jackson, after a serious accident at a pro wrestling event that left an athlete hospitalized in critical condition. On social media, the controversial former UFC champion stated that Raja should not be arrested for the incident and used his own life story to justify his argument.

"Jackson's son shouldn't go to jail. Prison should always be a last resort. I was arrested at 19 for two counts of assault with serious bodily injury. If it were up to the prosecutor, I would have spent five to six years in prison. And I guarantee I would have come out worse off. I would have killed someone. In prison, you are indoctrinated by gangs and violence," Strickland wrote.

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Raja Jackson, 25, is the son of the former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson is also starting his MMA career. On August 23, during a KnokX Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles, broadcast live on the Kick platform, Raja engaged in a violent, unscripted episode.

During a staged stunt, he picked up veteran fighter Stuart "Syko Stu" Smith and threw him to the ground. He then proceeded to deliver more than 20 real punches to his opponent's head, as he lay motionless in the ring.

Smith was rushed from the scene and taken to the hospital in critical condition. The LAPD launched a formal investigation, and the Kick platform banned Raja after the video went viral.

Rampage Jackson speaks out

Rampage spoke out about the incident, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. He confirmed that the move was not part of the script and revealed that Raja was recovering from a concussion suffered days earlier. According to the former UFC star, his son mistook the moment for a real interaction, thinking he was 'selling' a segment of the show.

"He thought it was part of the act. But it was clearly a serious mistake. We apologize to Smith, the Kick platform, and everyone involved. I hope he recovers," the former fighter declared.