Ryan Garcia Under Fire for Reaction to Violent Incident
Ryan Garcia finds himself under fire following his reaction to a violent incident involving Raja Jackson, the 25-year-old son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who exhibited aggressive behavior during a Knokx Pro Wrestling event. A shocking clip surfaced, showing Jackson executing a brutal attack on wrestler Stuart Smith, which included a barrage of over 20 relentless punches that rendered Smith unconscious and required hospital treatment.
Garcia’s Response and Controversy
The video, which aired on a live Kick stream, quickly went viral, prompting Garcia to share his thoughts on social media. He described the encounter as,
“Probably the worst thing I’ve watched in a minute, what was bro thinking, like seriously?”
This prompted a storm of reactions, particularly as fans began to make inappropriate comments about Jackson’s race.
In an attempt to address the situation, Garcia sought to clarify his stance, emphasizing that he did not want to make it about race but rather highlight the misconduct he witnessed.
“I would not make this a race thing; I’m just stating this was wrong. I don’t care how you try to spin it,”
he stated. He further criticized the culture surrounding live streaming, suggesting it leads individuals to act rashly when they know they are being watched.
Mixed Reactions and Past Controversies
Garcia’s comments elicited a range of responses—while some appreciated his perspective on the risks of streaming culture, others accused him of diverting attention away from the violent nature of the event itself. This is not the first instance where Garcia’s views on race have come under scrutiny; in 2024, he defended himself against accusations made during a personal crisis involving mental health and substance misuse. At that time, the WBC contemplated expelling him but faced criticism for perceived inconsistencies, especially concerning remarks made by other fighters such as Devin Haney and Tim Bradley without consequence.
Garcia’s past controversies regarding race continue to linger, suggesting that this latest episode may not be the last time he finds himself embroiled in similar debates.
About the Author
Phil Jay, the author of this piece, is an experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years dedicated to covering the global fight landscape. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, he has interviewed numerous world champions and reported from the frontlines of major boxing events.
