The retired heavyweight was sentenced to five years in prison after not suing a fight for attempted murder.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Cain Belásquez was sentenced to five years in the shooting in 2022 when he chased after a man accused of abusing his son.
Velazquez was sentenced in Santa Clara County, California after failing to admit a dispute over other related gun charges against attempted murder, felony assault and other related gun charges last August, what was called “vigilante shooting.” He receives credit for the time offered.
On February 28, 2022, the two-time UFC heavyweight champion fired multiple times in a truck carrying three people, including 46-year-old Harry Goulard, facing felony child abuse charges, according to the district attorney’s office.
His defense attorney, Lenny Hesling, called the outcome “bittersweet” because he wanted Velázquez to be kept out of prison.
“Through it all, Cain has shown the courage and strength of his character,” Hesling said in a statement. “He is responsible for his actions and is accountable. The verdict written today reflects the complexity of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headline.”
Less than a week after the shooting, Goularte was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a 4-year-old at a family-owned nursery. He was released without bail a few days later. Authorities said he was released under house arrest and was on the way to retrieve the electronic surveillance bracelet when Velazquez attacked.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Velazquez shot Golarte’s truck in a continuous car pursuit over 17.7km (11 miles). Goularte was not injured, but his stepfather, who was driving, was hit twice.
On a podcast by former teammate Kyle Kingsbury, Velazquez said handling of the situation “is not a way to do that.”
“You can’t put the law into your own hands,” Velazquez said. “I know what I did and know that what I did is very dangerous to others. Do you know? Not only to those involved, but to innocent people.
Velazquez also said it is important to have an open and honest conversation with your children about what kind of behavior is acceptable and what they are listening to.
“One man who puts the law into his own hands left behind injured and endangered school children, teachers and many others in our community,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. “If you want to do justice in Santa Clara County, apply for a badge.”
Velazquez became the UFC Heavyweight Champion when he defeated then-champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on October 23, 2010. The final professional battle for the retired athlete was on February 18, 2019, against Francis Ngannou.
Left Cain Velazquez will face Travis Brown during a heavyweight mixed martial arts match at the UFC 200 on Saturday, July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas. [John Locher/AP]
