Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is free – at least from the confines of a state prison.
Velasquez, 43, was released on parole Sunday after nearly 11 months in Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, Calif. It’s unclear what the stipulations of his release are. The San Jose (Calif.) Mercury-News was among the outlets to report his release, which had been expected for Sunday.
In February 2025, Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison with 1,283 days time served after he pleaded no contest to a litany of charges including attempted murder. Velasquez had been out on bail, under ankle monitoring since November 2022. Prior to that, he’d served a little under nine months behind bars.
Parole marks the near-end of years-long criminal legal battle for Velasquez, who was arrested after he pursued and shot at a car carrying Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s young son at a daycare. Velasquez chased Goularte and Goularte’s family while shooting a hand gun. A bullet from Velasquez struck Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender, causing nonfatal injury.
Goularte is still undergoing court proceedings for a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor. He is out on bail, has pleaded not guilty, and is awaiting trial. There are also ongoing civil lawsuits in each direction.
Velasquez has since apologized for his actions, saying he is at peace and wishes no harm to anyone – even Goularte.