Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, once celebrated for his dominance within the octagon, now finds himself facing a really different type of fight. On March 24, 2025, Velasquez was sentenced to 5 years in prison for his role in a 2022 shooting incident that stemmed from deeply personal and tragic circumstances. The sentencing marks the culmination of a three-year legal saga that has captivated each the MMA community and the general public at large.
BREAKING: Former UFC star Cain Velasquez sentenced to five years in prison. He pleaded no contest to attempted murder from 2022 shooting.
Deputy DA asked for 30 years to life. Defense asked for time served and probation.
Background: https://t.co/EL4zeBnAQ1
— Ian Cull (@NBCian) March 24, 2025
The Incident That Modified Every little thing
The story began on February 28, 2022, when Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed automotive chase through the streets of Morgan Hill, California. His goal was Harry Goularte, a person accused of molesting Velasquez’s then-4-year-old son at a daycare run by Goularte’s mother. Consumed by rage and frustration with the criminal justice system, Velasquez fired multiple rounds from a .40-caliber handgun right into a vehicle carrying Goularte, his mother, and his stepfather, Paul Bender. While Goularte escaped unscathed, Bender was struck within the arm by one in every of the bullets but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident led to Velasquez being charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder. Initially pleading not guilty, he later modified his plea to no contest in August 2024 as a part of a deal to avoid a possible life sentence. Prosecutors had sought a 30-years-to-life sentence for what they described as a reckless act of vigilante justice that endangered countless lives.
The Sentencing and Its Aftermath
At 42 years old, Velasquez appeared somber but resolute during his sentencing on the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose. Judge Arthur Bocanegra handed down a five-year prison sentence, crediting time already served during Velasquez’s nearly nine months in jail before being released on bail in late 2022. The courtroom was filled with nearly 70 spectators, including relations from either side who delivered emotional impact statements.
Cain Velasquez is ready for sentencing Monday morning in San Jose, facing attempted murder and other charges.
He’s all the time been temporary when speaking on the incident, but Velasquez opened up about incident more fully in an emotional podcast interview with pal Kyle Kingsbury.
He said… pic.twitter.com/9WaeOkvy7A
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) March 24, 2025
Velasquez expressed deep remorse for his actions during an interview on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast shortly before his sentencing. “What I did was not correct,” he admitted. “I do know what I did was very dangerous to other people—not only those involved but additionally innocent bystanders. I’m willing to do every part I even have to pay that back”. Despite his regret, Velasquez maintained that his actions were driven by an awesome desire to guard his family.
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A Legacy Tarnished?
For MMA fans, this chapter in Velasquez’s life is a stark contrast to the legacy he built as one in every of the game’s most dominant heavyweights. A two-time UFC champion with victories over legends like Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos, Velasquez was renowned for his relentless pace and elite wrestling skills. His profession record stands at 14-3, but his achievements now risk being overshadowed by this legal ordeal.
Public opinion has been divided on Velasquez’s case. Many sympathize along with his motives—protecting his child from an alleged predator—while others criticize the recklessness of his actions. The incident has sparked broader conversations about vigilante justice and the constraints of the legal system when coping with sensitive cases like child abuse.
Velasquez’s sentence includes time served, meaning he could potentially be released prior to five years depending on parole eligibility and good behavior. During his trip on bail, he remained lively within the MMA community as a coach and took part in nonprofit work through organizations like Chokeout Cancer.
As for Harry Goularte, the person at the middle of this tragic saga, he stays out on supervised release pending trial for the molestation charges—a proven fact that continues to fuel outrage amongst Velasquez’s supporters.
While Cain Velasquez’s story is way from over, it serves as a cautionary tale about the results of taking justice into one’s own hands. For now, the previous champion must face his punishment while grappling with how this chapter will define his legacy each inside and outdoors the cage.
