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

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UFC legend Cain Velasquez was sentenced Monday to five years of prison. (Photo by Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
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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

#FREEcainVELASQUEZpic.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 fudged 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

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