Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison. This decision follows his no-contest plea 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 with numerous charges against Velasquez. These charges included premeditated attempted murder, felony assault, and offenses related to firearms. Velasquez appeared 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 sentence.
Velasquez will be credited for the three years he has already served, effectively reducing his remaining prison time. He was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing.
The events leading to the former UFC champion`s legal troubles 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 assaulting 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 several shots from a .40-caliber handgun at the vehicle containing Goularte. However, one of the bullets struck Goularte`s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm, causing non-life-threatening injuries.
After the car chase, Velasquez was arrested without resistance by the Morgan Hill Police Department. He faced numerous charges and remained in custody 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.
“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 and subsequently reached a deal with the district attorney`s office to plead no-contest. This plea 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 delays before Velasquez`s court appearance 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 also 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 go to prison following his sentencing, although the actual time he serves is expected to be significantly less than five years.
Marcus Blakely