Cain Velasquez Sentenced Over 2022 Shooting

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and WWE wrestler Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday, March 24 over a shooting which took place in February 2022. Velasquez is only expected to serve around one year in jail, however, due to receiving credit for 1,283 days of time served in jail and while under house arrest.

Velasquez pleaded no contest to felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related charges in August 2024. The 42-year-old was sentenced in Santa Clara County court in San Jose, California. The Santa Clara County district attorney had recommended Velasquez be sentenced to 30 years to life over the 2022 shooting, claiming that Velasquez tried to kill all three people in the motor vehicle he was shooting at.

Velasquez was charged over allegedly shooting at a pickup truck with Harry Goularte as a passenger, the man accused of molesting Velasquez's then-four-year-old son at a daycare facility. The shooting occurred during an 11-mile car chase on February 28, 2022 in which Goularte was being driven by his stepfather, Paul Bender, and the stepfather was struck in the arm and torso after Velasquez allegedly fired a .40-calibre handgun. Goularte will stand trial on June 2 on one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor. He has pleaded not guilty.

Before his sentencing, Velasquez expressed remorse for "taking the law into his own hands" on the Kyle Kingsbury podcast.

Velasquez's attorney Renee M. Hessling issued the following statement about the sentencing on Monday:

"Today's results are bittersweet -- we had hoped Mr. Velasquez would remain out of jail. However, the facts remain clear: Cain Velasquez is a good man, a devoted father, and a respected member of the community. What he and his family have endured has been nothing short of a living nightmare -- one they did not deserve. Throughout it all, Cain has shown courage and strength of character. 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. When he is released, he will continue to lead by example -- protecting, contributing, and caring for the people around him."

Goularte's mother Patricia Bender said to NBC Bay Area: "The sentence is extremely disappointing. It's based on an alleged allegation that has no basis. It is unfounded. We are looking for the opportunity in Harry's case to prove that."

Cain Velasquez was a UFC fighter from 2008 until his retirement in 2019, becoming a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. Velasquez transitioned to pro wrestling following the end of his MMA career, performing for AAA before he signed with WWE. The 42-year-old only had two matches for WWE - a WWE Title loss to Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel 2019 and a Mexico City house show win with Humberto Carrillo against Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson - before he was released in April 2020.

Velasquez returned to AAA in 2021 and he performed for the promotion after being charged with attempted murder, teaming with Blue Demon Jr. & Pagano in a win over Black Taurus, Gringo Loco, & Sam Adonis in December 2022.