UFC icon Cain Velasquez has received a five-year prison sentence after entering a plea of no contest to attempted murder.
Prosecutors had sought a 30-year prison term for the 42-year-old former heavyweight champion, stemming from a shooting incident during an 11-mile car pursuit three years prior.
The sentencing, which took place at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, concludes a dramatic legal battle marked by numerous delays.
Velasquez, a California resident, faced ten charges following a high-speed pursuit of Harry Goularte in 2022.
Goularte was accused of sexually abusing Velasquez`s four-year-old son on “multiple occasions”.
During the chase, Velasquez, a renowned MMA fighter, discharged several shots at the vehicle occupied by Goularte, Goularte’s mother, and stepfather, Paul Bender.
Bender sustained non-life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound to his arm.
Velasquez entered a no contest plea to all charges, while prosecutors pushed for a significant prison sentence.
His defense team appealed to the court for probation, considering the time he had already spent in custody.
Prior to sentencing, Velasquez publicly acknowledged his actions and accepted responsibility.
In an interview on The Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, he stated that his actions were not the correct approach, emphasizing, “We cannot take the law into our own hands.”
Velasquez recognized the potential dangers of his behavior, not only for those directly involved but also for others.
He affirmed his willingness to accept whatever punishment was decided.
Velasquez retired from MMA in 2019 and transitioned to professional wrestling, most recently performing with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
