Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder -

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March 25, 2025, Santa Clara County, California:

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for attempted murder, though he will only serve approximately one more year behind bars due to time already served. The sentencing comes after Velasquez entered a no-contest plea in August 2024 as part of a deal with prosecutors.

The case stems from a 2022 incident in Santa Clara County, where Velasquez engaged in a high-speed chase and fired multiple shots at a truck carrying Harry Goularte, the man accused of molesting Velasquez’s then-4-year-old son. However, instead of striking Goularte, Velasquez wounded Goularte’s stepfather. The shooting occurred near a school, putting children and parents in potential danger, according to prosecutors.

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Velasquez had been out on $1 million bail but was remanded into custody at the end of Monday’s hearing. His attorney, Renee Hessling, acknowledged the difficult outcome.

“Today’s results are bittersweet we had hoped Mr. Velasquez would remain out of jail,” Hessling said. “However, the facts remain clear: Cain Velasquez is a good man, a devoted father, and a respected member of the community. What he and his family have endured has been nothing short of a nightmare.”

While prosecutors originally charged Velasquez with premeditated murder, those charges were dropped as part of the plea deal. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen defended the case against Velasquez, stating that his actions put innocent lives at risk.

“This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner. His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents,” Rosen said in a statement last year.

Velasquez has since expressed regret over how he handled the situation. Speaking on a podcast with former UFC fighter Kyle Kingsbury, he admitted actions were reckless.