Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison. This decision comes after he pleaded no-contest to multiple charges, including attempted murder, stemming from his arrest in 2022, according to various reports.
This sentencing concludes a three-year legal process that began when Velasquez faced numerous charges, such as premeditated attempted murder, felony assault, and firearm-related offenses. Velasquez was present in court with his family and legal representation when Judge Arthur Bocanegra delivered the sentence.
The prosecution had sought a sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment, while Velasquez`s defense team argued for probation and time already served. Ultimately, Velasquez was given a five-year prison sentence.
Velasquez will receive credit for the three years he has already served, effectively reducing his remaining prison time. He was taken into custody immediately following the sentencing.
The events leading to the former UFC champion`s arrest began in February 2022. Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed pursuit of a vehicle occupied by Harry Goularte, a man accused of sexually abusing Velasquez`s son at a daycare owned by Goularte`s mother. Goularte is facing separate charges for child molestation and was released on bail against the prosecution`s recommendation after his arrest.
During the high-speed chase, Velasquez fired multiple shots from a .40-caliber handgun at Goularte`s vehicle. However, one of the bullets struck Goularte`s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm, causing non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the car chase, Velasquez was arrested without resistance by the Morgan Hill Police Department. He was subsequently charged with numerous offenses, leading to his detention for eight months before being granted bail.
The district attorney mentioned that a search of Velasquez`s phone revealed searches for terms like “sexual assault case where victims family fights back” and “sexual assault cases where victims family retaliates.”
In a pre-sentencing memorandum, Deputy District Attorney Aaron French argued for a severe penalty for Velasquez`s actions.
French stated, “The defendant’s crime is serious. Justice requires a sentence that reflects this severity. To hold the defendant responsible for his reckless and dangerous actions and the lasting physical and emotional harm inflicted upon the victims and the community, the court should impose a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.”
Velasquez was released on bail while awaiting trial and subsequently reached a no-contest plea agreement with the district attorney`s office, which removed the premeditated attempted murder charge that could have resulted in a life sentence if he had been convicted.
After his release, Velasquez resumed coaching MMA and made appearances as a professional wrestler while awaiting his sentencing date. There were several postponements before Velasquez`s court appearance on Monday for his sentencing.
Following his initial arrest, numerous figures in the MMA community, including his close friend and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, voiced their support for Velasquez. UFC CEO Dana White also wrote a letter in support of Velasquez while he was detained after his initial bail denial.
The former UFC heavyweight champion is now preparing to serve his prison sentence, although the actual time spent incarcerated is expected to be considerably less than five years.
