'Absolutely gutted': Cain Velasquez's prison verdict ignites outrage, condemnation across MMA

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 07: SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 7: Cain Velasquez is photographed during a hearing at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice on Monday, March 7, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. Velasquez allegedly shot at a car carrying a man charged with molesting his minor relative, and wounded the accused man's stepfather in South San Jose. (Photo by Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images) — UFC legend Cain Velasquez was sentenced Monday to five years of prison. (Photo by Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)

The three-year saga of Cain Velasquez ended Monday as the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion was sentenced to five years in prison on a litany of charges, including attempted murder, for his role in a 2022 attempted shooting of the man accused of molesting Velasquez's then 4-year-old son. Velasquez's sentence includes time already served.

The verdict came down Monday at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose by Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra, who reportedly delivered his sentence with "tears in his eyes."

Velasquez's plight has been the subject of intense debate and scrutiny because of the sensitive nature of the case. Velasquez, 42, faced 10 felony charges after engaging in an 11-mile high-speed car chase with Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting Velasquez's then 4-year-old son on “multiple occasions." Velasquez fired several shots through his windshield from a .40-caliber handgun during the chase into a car carrying Goularte, Goularte's mother and Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to Bender due to a gunshot wound to his arm.

Goularte currently awaits his own June 2 trial date after pleading not guilty to one charge of lewd acts with a minor, and Velasquez's family has filed a separate civil lawsuit against the Goularte family and their businesses.

Velasquez, a decorated fighter who twice captured the UFC heavyweight title before retiring in 2019, expressed remorse for his actions and accepted whatever punishment came his way in a recent interview on the podcast of former teammate Kyle Kingsbury.

Given the prolonged nature of the case and Velasquez's standing within the sport, Monday's prison verdict ignited widespread reaction across MMA, some of which can be seen below.

Heartbroken for Cain and his family. https://t.co/oRYi93yG8A
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 24, 2025

Cain shouldn’t serve any jail time. In the heat of the moment, what man wouldn’t have a lapse in judgement to protect his family. The focus should be on the man that committed crimes much worse than what Cain did. I’m thankful he only has to serve 5 years instead of 30. https://t.co/FkjHNNzeSN
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 24, 2025

#FREECAIN
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) March 24, 2025

#FREEcainVELASQUEZ pic.twitter.com/nZ8eBdklxh
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 24, 2025

This is awful !! https://t.co/VM420JX8mX
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) March 24, 2025

Monday Mailbag!
Cain gets 5 years. Not the 30 years to life they were asking for. Hopefully, Trump gives him the hunter Biden treatment.

What do you think? FAIR OR NOT pic.twitter.com/IgOTMzsxvW
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) March 24, 2025

With time served to shorten the 5 years, this is a small win, no time served would have obviously been better, but this could have ended up so much worse🙌🏼 #Freecainvelasquez ❤️ https://t.co/gMFDSj4yHy
— Joe Joe Giannetti 💀 (@Giannettimma) March 24, 2025

Damn… https://t.co/pjZOJKo7hm
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 24, 2025

Well if that’s the case, all in all a good result when you consider how fucked the justice system is. Absolutely gutted for Cain and his family. You’ll be out in no time champ. You are forever a legend to us and a hero to your family https://t.co/iIpJV1W6OY
— Oban Elliott Official (@obanelliottufc) March 24, 2025

Please say that’s 2.5 years on good behaviour? https://t.co/eu9sbBwsAv
— Oban Elliott Official (@obanelliottufc) March 24, 2025

This is why I will never live in California, they tried to give this man 30 years for protecting his family and the person who violated his family is still walking in the streets
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) March 24, 2025

#FREECAIN
— DT (@darrentill2) March 24, 2025

#FREECAIN
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 24, 2025

#FREECAIN 🖤
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) March 24, 2025

Topics

'This is awful': UFC fighters react to Cain Velasquez's prison sentence in attempted murder case

As has been the case since the situation occurred in 2022, the MMA community largely has thrown its support behind former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez during a difficult moment. ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
UFC legend Cain Velasquez sentenced to 5 years in prison for 2022 shooting

Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison for the attempted shooting of the man accused of molesting Velasquez's then 4-year-old son.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez sentenced to 5 years for 2022 shooting

Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison for a shooting in 2022 where he chased after the man accused of molesting his son
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Cain Velasquez's path from UFC star to state prison is one of the most sympathetic imaginable

On another timeline, Cain Velasquez could've been the greatest heavyweight champ in UFC history. Instead, he's sitting behind bars for at least the next year.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez sentenced to 5 years for 2022 shooting

Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison Monday for a shooting in 2022 where he chased after the man accused of molesting his son.
Yahoo Sports - 21h
Ex-UFC champ Cain Velasquez gets 5 years for shooting man who allegedly molested his relative

Former UFC champ Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison for the attempted murder of a man accused of molesting his relative during an emotionally fraught Monday hearing.
NBC News - 8h
Ex-UFC champ Velasquez sentenced for shooting

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to prison time Monday for a shooting that took place in 2022.
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Photos: Cain Velasquez through the years

Check out these photos highlighting Cain Velasquez's career through the years.
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Cain Velasquez sentenced to five years in prison for involvement in 2022 shooting incident

Velasquez will receive credit for time served and has roughly 18 months left on his sentence
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'Absolutely gutted': Cain Velasquez's prison verdict ignites outrage, condemnation across MMA

Topics

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'This is awful': UFC fighters react to Cain Velasquez's prison sentence in attempted murder case

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Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez sentenced to 5 years for 2022 shooting

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