Finally, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson opened up regarding the disappointing fight of his son Raja vs professional wrestling veteran Syko Stu that trended on social media. The MMA great livestreamed last weekend, and not at all shy of the issue, he discussed it directly from the heart, genuine and unbridled, and clearly torn between fatherhood and the public eye.
A Suffering Father
“It is difficult for me this weekend to discuss it,” Rampage said, plainly irritated. “I feel bad anything did occur with Psycho Stu. I do not condone the conduct of my son at all. Very unfortunate.”
The UFC legend said that if he had been there, perhaps all of this could have been prevented. But he wasn’t, and he now gets the cold harsh reality of his son’s actions. “You’re proud of your kids sometimes, not proud of them sometimes. You’re still the dad at the end of the day,” he summarized the impossible situation he now finds himself in.
Fighting Against Rumors, Racism and Clics
It hurt Rampage more that there had been the fight at all, and more that the web had misrepresented it. “I see many others cutting idiot siht for click bait… promulgating lies that aren’t even close to correct, for cash,” he shook his head at the circus.
But he was not only outraged at the clout hunters. He criticized the racism circulating in the commentary on the event. “A lot of racist people showing their colors,” he said. “It’s not right. It’s crazy.”
A Surprising Olive Branch In spite of all that, Rampage wasn’t simply attacking or irritable. He had a lot more to say than you would have anticipated, saying he would indeed want to dine with Syko Stu one day. “Hopefully one day I can meet him. Shake his hand. Have a man-to-man with him,” he said.
It was a rare moment of candour and vulnerability for a fighter who preferred knocking guys out as opposed to exposing himself.
Stuck in the Middle
Once the livestream concluded, Rampage breathed heavily as if drained from the burden of it all. “Whatever I say, there are gonna be haters and they are gonna spin my message,” he confessed. “I said it myself, I didn’t go. I learned at the same rate as everyone else.”
It comes down to this: he doesn’t like the way Raja does things, but he won’t stop from being his dad. As much as the world of the web wants to spin its yarns, Rampage needs to deal with far greater adversity than any foe he has ever known, how to father with the world keeping its eyes.
