Cain Velasquez received a wave of support from the UFC community following the announcement of his prison sentence on Monday, March 24.
Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with a 2022 shooting. He will receive credit for time already served—totaling 1,283 days.
The 42-year-old former two-time UFC heavyweight champion was sentenced during a hearing at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California. He had previously pleaded no contest to a charge of attempted murder, according to NBC Bay Area.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, while the defense argued for no incarceration. Judge Arthur Bocanegra presided over the case, which stemmed from a February 2022 incident involving a high-speed pursuit.
Velasquez followed a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte—a man accused of sexually abusing Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son—as well as members of Goularte’s family.
According to a news release from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Velasquez confronted the vehicle at an intersection and opened fire with a handgun. When the occupants attempted to flee, Velasquez allegedly rammed the vehicle and continued firing. Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, was struck in the arm by a bullet that entered the vehicle.
Authorities also reported that a search of Velasquez’s phone revealed online queries such as: “sexual assault case where victim’s family fights back” and “sexual assault cases where victim’s family retaliates.”
Velasquez was incarcerated for nearly nine months before being granted conditional release on appeal, following an initial denial of bail.
Goularte has pleaded not guilty to one count of committing lewd acts with a minor. His trial is scheduled to begin on June 2. Velasquez has also filed a civil lawsuit against the Goularte family and the daycare center where the alleged abuse occurred. That facility has since been closed.
The sentencing prompted strong reactions across the MMA world, with many fighters and fans publicly expressing support for Velasquez on social media.
In addition to attempted murder, Velasquez also faced charges for shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft, assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony.
Days prior to sentencing, Velasquez released a statement submitting to any judgment the court system came to following the trial.
“What I did was not correct,” Velasquez said while appearing as a guest on the Kyle Kingsbury podcast. “I understand that. I paid, and I’ll pay whatever else as far as what I have to do to pay all that back. I don’t think I can pay it back, but I can always learn from my mistakes and help others. It’s just information that you never know anybody. Trust your kids. Have that open communication with your kids. When you do go to the bathroom with them when (they’re) very young, you can work your way in there as far as talking to them about what’s appropriate and what is not, so they know to tell you and they can always tell you whenever something is not correct. So as far as that goes, it’s basically that the more we get consciously aware of ourselves, the more that light shines on dark things, especially things like that.”
Velasquez also said: “Even with that family and what they’ve done, I can’t have hate like that for them because there are things that I have to move on to and give love to my kids and give love to the people around. I’ve got to share this with everybody, so I can’t give hate to them at all. I wish them healing in the best way, whatever that is. I wish that for them. I understand that they have traumas, as well. It’s not right to spread it – no. I’m glad they themselves have stopped because they can’t practice any more as far as daycare. With my own time, I’ve forgiven them and everything else, and I know my kids are great.”
Velasquez retired from MMA in 2019 with a 14-3 record.