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New York Times
25-03-2025
- New York Times
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez sentenced to 5 years in prison for attempted murder
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced Monday in California to five years in prison for attempted murder stemming from a 2022 shooting. In 2022, Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile, high-speed car chase with Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting Velasquez's then 4-year-old son, in Morgan Hill, Calif. Velasquez fired multiple rounds into Goularte's car, which also carried his mother and stepfather. Velasquez hit Goularte's stepfather in the arm, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Velasquez, 42, faced 10 felony charges Monday, including attempted murder, shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft, willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle, assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony. He pleaded no contest to all charges. Goularte has his own June trial date set after pleading not guilty to one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor. Goularte's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Velasquez's defense attorney, Renee Hessling, said in a statement to multiple outlets that the results of the hearing, which occurred at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, were 'bittersweet.' 'Throughout it all, Cain has shown courage and strength of character. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable,' Hessling said in a statement, per multiple reports. 'The sentence handed down today reflects the complexities of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headlines.' Santa Clara County district attorney Jeff Rosen also issued a written statement to multiple outlets, saying, 'One man's decision to take the law into his own hands left an innocent man wounded and endangered schoolchildren, teachers, and many others in our community. If you want to do justice in Santa Clara County, please apply for a badge.' Velasquez, speaking to his former teammate Kyle Kingsbury about the situation on the March 14 episode of the 'Kyle Kingsbury Podcast,' said 'the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it.' 'We cannot put the law in our own hands,' he said. 'I know what I did. And I know what I did was very dangerous to other people. … I'm willing to do anything I have to to pay back that. Whatever the court feels correct for what I have to do, I'm gonna do it with my head up and still be me and not play the blame game. It was me that did that and reacted in that way.' Advertisement Velasquez's five-year sentence includes time served: He spent nearly a year in prison following the shooting and nearly two years on house arrest with an ankle monitor. While speaking about the alleged molestation of his son, Velasquez said, 'We got to speak to our kids.' 'I know we don't want to bring that in to our kids at a young age, but we have to be open and honest,' he said. 'No. 1 is to be open and honest about what is appropriate and what is not.' Velasquez added he 'can't have hate' for the Goularte family, because 'there (are) things I have to move on to and give love to my kids and give love to the people around.' 'I wish them healing,' Velasquez said of the Goularte family, adding that his son is doing well and 'this will not define him.' Velasquez is a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, earning the titles in 2010 and 2012. One of the most legendary heavyweights of his era, Velasquez reached many more championships, though he battled injuries throughout his career. He retired from MMA in 2019 and briefly turned to professional wrestling, signing with WWE for 2019-2020. He was released from his deal shortly thereafter due to budget cuts made during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former UFC champion Velasquez jailed for attempted murder
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has received a five-year prison sentence for attempted murder. Velasquez, 42, pleaded no contest to attempted murder, felony assault and other related gun charges last August in California following a shooting he committed in 2022. The American shot at a vehicle carrying three people, including 46-year-old Harry Goularte, injuring another man in the truck in the arm and torso. Goularte was the intended victim and, according to the district office, is facing felony child molestation charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to. Defence attorney Renee Hessling called the ruling "bittersweet" as she had hoped to avoid a prison sentence for Velasquez. Velasquez has been on house arrest since November and received 1,283 days of time served, reducing his sentence. "Throughout it all, Cain has shown courage and strength of character," Hessling said in a statement. "He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable. The sentence handed down today reflects the complexities of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headlines." In a recent interview on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, Velasquez accepted responsibility for his actions. "We cannot put the law in our own hands, I know what I did, and I know what I did was very dangerous to other people," he said. "Not just people involved, but innocent people. I understand what I did and I'm willing to do everything I have to [do] to pay that back." Velasquez injured Paul Bender in the shooting during an 11-mile car chase, where he fired multiple times from a handgun. Velasquez fought 15 times in the UFC, twice winning the heavyweight title with wins over Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos. The California native retired after a knockout defeat by Francis Ngannou in 2019, with a record of 14 wins and three losses. MMA schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
BBC News
25-03-2025
- BBC News
Former UFC champion Velasquez jailed for attempted murder
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has received a five-year prison sentence for attempted 42, pleaded no contest to attempted murder, felony assault and other related gun charges last August in California following a shooting he committed in 2022. The American shot at a vehicle carrying three people, including 46-year-old Harry Goularte, injuring another man in the truck in the arm and was the intended victim and, according to the district office, is facing felony child molestation charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to. Defence attorney Renee Hessling called the ruling "bittersweet" as she had hoped to avoid a prison sentence for has been on house arrest since November and received 1,283 days of time served, reducing his sentence."Throughout it all, Cain has shown courage and strength of character," Hessling said in a statement. "He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable. The sentence handed down today reflects the complexities of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headlines."In a recent interview on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, Velasquez accepted responsibility for his actions."We cannot put the law in our own hands, I know what I did, and I know what I did was very dangerous to other people," he said. "Not just people involved, but innocent people. I understand what I did and I'm willing to do everything I have to [do] to pay that back."Velasquez injured Paul Bender in the shooting during an 11-mile car chase, where he fired multiple times from a fought 15 times in the UFC, twice winning the heavyweight title with wins over Brock Lesnar and Junior dos California native retired after a knockout defeat by Francis Ngannou in 2019, with a record of 14 wins and three losses.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Ex-UFC champions Cain Velasquez ready to be sentenced for attempted murder
Three years after his arrest on attempted murder and other charges, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is set to receive his sentence Monday at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose. Velasquez, who pleaded no contest in August 2023, has accepted responsibility for his actions in the 2022 shooting incident and expressed a willingness to face the consequences. Speaking on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, Velasquez acknowledged his wrongdoing. 'We cannot put the law in our own hands,' he said. 'I know what I did was very dangerous—not just to those involved, but to innocent people. I understand that, and I'm willing to do whatever the court decides is correct.' Velasquez was arrested in February 2022 after he pursued a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting his then 4-year-old son. During a high-speed chase, Velasquez fired multiple shots at the car, striking Goularte's stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm. Reflecting on his actions, Velasquez admitted he made the wrong decision. 'I don't think I can ever fully pay it back, but I can learn from my mistakes and help others,' he said. 'Trust your kids. Have open communication with them. Teach them what is appropriate and what isn't so they can always come to you.' Despite the traumatic circumstances, Velasquez said he harbors no resentment toward Goularte's family, including his mother, Patricia Goularte, who ran the daycare where the alleged abuse occurred. 'I can't hold hate for them,' Velasquez said. 'I have to move on and give love to my kids and the people around me. I've forgiven them, and I wish them healing in whatever way they need.' Initially pleading not guilty, Velasquez changed his plea to no contest last August, signaling a likely agreement between the prosecution and defense. The terms of that agreement may be revealed during Monday's hearing. No matter the outcome, Velasquez said his focus remains on his family and his personal growth. 'My kids are amazing,' he said. 'This will not define them. They are meant for great things, and I'm just blessed to live this life with them.' Meanwhile, Goularte, who faces one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor, is set for trial on June 2. He has pleaded not guilty.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cain Velasquez opens up about shooting ahead of sentencing: 'We cannot put the law in our own hands'
Cain Velasquez will accept whatever fate comes his way Monday in California court room. Three years after his arrest on attempted murder and other charges, Velasquez is set for sentencing in Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose. While he's remained largely quiet on the specifics of the 2022 shooting and the circumstances surrounding it, Velasquez recently spoke openly to former teammate Kyle Kingsbury on Kyle Kingsbury Podcast. "From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things was not the way to do it," Velasquez said. "We cannot put the law in our own hands. … I've already pled guilty [no contest], so I'm going to get a sentencing (Monday). I know what I did, and I know what I did was very dangerous to other people, you know? Not just people involved, but to innocent people. I understand what I did and I'm willing to do everything I have to (in order) to pay that back. Whatever the court feels correct for what I have to do, I'm going to do it with my head up and still be me and not play the blame game. It was me that did that and reacted in that way." Velasquez was arrested in February 2022 after he pursued a vehicle carrying a man, Harry Goularte, accused of molesting Velasquez's then 4-year-old son, and fired a handgun at it several times in a high-speed daytime chase. Velasquez struck Goularte's stepfather, Paul Bender, resulting in an arm injury. "What I did was not correct," Velasquez said. "I understand that. I paid and I'll pay whatever else as far as what I have to do to pay all that back. I don't think I can pay it back, but I can always learn from my mistakes and help others. It's just information that you never know anybody. Trust your kids. Have that open communication with your kids. When you do go to the bathroom with them when (they're) very young, you can work your way in there as far as talking to them about what's appropriate and what is not, so they know to tell you and they can always tell you whenever something is not correct. So as far as that goes, it's basically that the more we get consciously aware of ourselves, the more that light shines on dark things, especially things like that." UFC exec Dave Shaw on Leon Edwards' home loss, international plans, Aspinall-Jones and more Paddy Pimblett emotional over Molly McCann's retirement at UFC London: 'Her legacy will live on forever' As for Goularte's family, Velasquez said he holds no ill will and has forgiven them. Goularte's mother, Patricia Goularte, ran the daycare where the alleged molestation occurred. "Even with that family and what they've done, I can't have hate like that for them because there are things that I have to move on to and give love to my kids and give love to the people around," Velasquez said. "I've got to share this with everybody, so I can't give hate to them at all. I wish them healing in the best way, whatever that is. I wish that for them. I understand that they have traumas, as well. It's not right to spread it – no. I'm glad they themselves have stopped because they can't practice any more as far as daycare. With my own time, I've forgiven them and everything else and I know my kids are great." Velasquez initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. In August, the plea was changed to a no contest, which indicates the prosecution and defense have likely reached an agreement. That agreement could be revealed Monday in San Jose, barring any continuances. Regardless of what punishments he may face, Velasquez said he has a new, enlightened mindset of what is most important to him in life – and that's what he's hanging onto. "Everything is divinely orchestrated and my kids are amazing," Velasquez said. "My son is amazing. He's one of the strongest, funniest kids that I know. He's my best friend. I'm proud of him for who he is. This will not define him. He's meant for greater and my daughter as well. They were both made for great things and I'm just like ... I'm so blessed to live this life with you. You help me, I help you. It's not like I'm teaching you; you're teaching me, as well. I'm just f*cking loving that I get to be with you at this moment. This is sacred, the most sacred, to be with another version of yourself. Just to relive your own childhood and do better. ... I love that I get to see the excitement that I had as a child, now I get to see it through their eyes. I just sit and observe, like, 'Yeah, that's what it is.' So ... yes." Goularte is set for trial June 2 and faces one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor. Goularte has pleaded not guilty. Photos: Cain Velasquez through the years This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Cain Velasquez opens up about shooting ahead of sentencing: 'We cannot put the law in our own hands'
