Former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, has been given a five-year prison sentence. This decision comes after he pleaded no-contest to multiple charges, including attempted murder, related to 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 offenses. Velasquez was present in court with his family and legal counsel 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 received a five-year prison term.
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 legal trouble began with his arrest in February 2022. He engaged in an 11-mile high-speed pursuit of a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, who was accused of sexually abusing Velasquez`s son at a daycare owned by Goularte`s mother. Goularte is facing separate charges for child molestation but was released on bail against the prosecution`s recommendations after his arrest.
During the high-speed chase, Velasquez fired several 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.
After the chase, Velasquez was arrested without resistance by the Morgan Hill Police Department. He was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, leading to his detention for eight months before being granted bail.
The district attorney also noted that a search of Velasquez`s phone revealed searches for phrases 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 significant penalty for Velasquez`s actions.
“The defendant’s crime is severe,” French stated. “Justice demands a sentence that is equally severe. To hold the defendant accountable for his reckless and dangerous actions and the lasting physical and psychological injuries he left 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, prior to reaching a no-contest plea agreement with the district attorney`s office. This agreement removed the premeditated attempted murder charge, which could have resulted in a life sentence if he had been convicted.
Following his release, Velasquez resumed coaching MMA and made appearances as a professional wrestler while awaiting his sentencing date. There were several postponements before Velasquez finally appeared in court on Monday for his sentencing.
After his initial arrest, many in the MMA community, including his close friend and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, voiced their support for Velasquez. UFC CEO Dana White even wrote a letter in support of Velasquez while he was initially detained after his bail was denied.
The former UFC heavyweight champion is now set to serve time in prison following his sentencing, although his actual time incarcerated is expected to be considerably less than five years.
