Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has received a five-year prison sentence for a 2022 shooting incident in which he pursued a man suspected of sexually abusing his son. The sentence follows Velasquez’s no contest plea to charges of attempted murder, felony assault, and additional gun violations. The incident took place on February 28, 2022, when Velasquez fired multiple shots at a vehicle carrying three individuals, including 46-year-old Harry Goularte, who is charged with child molestation. Velasquez’s defense attorney expressed mixed feelings about the outcome, emphasizing Velasquez’s acceptance of responsibility and acknowledgment of the dangers his actions presented to innocent parties.

Goularte had been arrested shortly before the shooting for alleged sexual assault on a four-year-old at a family-owned daycare. He was released without bail and placed under house arrest, which is what Velasquez allegedly targeted. No one was injured during the 17.7km (11-mile) chase, except Goularte’s stepfather, who was driving and suffered two bullet wounds. In a past interview, Velasquez admitted the handling of the incident was not appropriate and expressed remission for the potential harm to bystanders. He stressed the importance of laws not being in individual hands and the need for open communication with children on acceptable behavior.

Santa Clara County’s District Attorney, Jeff Rosen, condemned Velasquez’s actions, highlighting the danger they posed to the community, including schoolchildren, teachers, and others. Velasquez’s mixed martial arts career included becoming the UFC heavyweight champion on October 23, 2010, and his last professional fight took place on February 18, 2019, against Francis Ngannou.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/3/25/cain-velasquez-former-ufc-champion-sentenced-to-prison-for-2022-shooting?traffic_source=rss