Former UFC Star Cain Velasquez Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Attempted Murder

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading no contest to attempted murder charges.

The sentencing, which took place on March 24, 2025, marks the culmination of a three-year legal battle stemming from a February 2022 shooting incident.

Cain Velasquez’s Attempted Murder Case and Sentencing Details

Velasquez, 42, was arrested in 2022 for opening fire on Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s then four-year-old son.

The high-speed chase through city streets resulted in Velasquez inadvertently shooting Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

In August 2024, Velasquez entered a no-contest plea in a California court to multiple charges, including felony attempted murder and weapons-related offences.

This plea deal aimed to reduce his sentence while acknowledging the severity of his actions.

His sentencing was initially postponed in October 2024 and later rescheduled for March 2025.

Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to 5 years in prison

Via @NBCian pic.twitter.com/Bo4hAZKCTs

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 24, 2025

Legal Repercussions and Statements from Authorities

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasised the dangers posed by Velasquez’s actions.

“This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner,” Rosen stated. “His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents, who could have been injured or killed as he shot at his intended victim.

“We have excellent law enforcement in this county. Let them do their jobs.”

Velasquez, who was arrested at the scene without resistance, spent eight months behind bars before being released on a $1 million bond in November 2022.

Cain Velasquez’s Reflection on the Incident

Ahead of his sentencing, Velasquez publicly addressed his actions on The Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, acknowledging his regret for handling the situation the way he did.

“From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” Velasquez said.

“We cannot put the law in our own hands. … I know what I did was very dangerous towards other people — not just to people involved but to just innocent people.

“I understand what I did, and I’m willing to do everything I have to pay back that.”

Cain Velasquez’s Future in MMA and Pro Wrestling

While Velasquez has not competed in the UFC since his 2019 knockout loss to Francis Ngannou, he has remained active in the combat sports world.

He has participated in professional wrestling events, including WWE, and recently secured a coaching role with the newly launched MMA promotion, Global Fight League (GFL), as the team manager for Team Dubai.

It remains unclear what the future holds for Velasquez once he serves his sentence, but his involvement in MMA and wrestling suggests that he may still have a role in the industry upon his release.