Cain Velasquez, Ex-UFC Champion, Granted Parole Release from Prison
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been granted parole after spending nearly a year in California state prison. His release was confirmed by Mike Fonseca, Velasquez’s longtime agent.
Cain Velasquez’s Parole Release Details
Velasquez was released on parole on February 15, 2026, following an 11-month incarceration. In March 2025, he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading no contest to charges related to a shooting incident from February 2022.
Incident Background
- In February 2022, Velasquez chased and shot at a vehicle belonging to Harry Goularte.
- Goularte was accused of molesting Velasquez’s four-year-old son.
- During the chase, Goularte’s father was injured by gunfire.
At the time of sentencing, Velasquez received credit for 1,283 days already served. In November 2022, he was granted a $1 million bail and placed under house arrest.
Legal Proceedings
Goularte faces felony charges for lewd acts with a minor. Velasquez has also initiated a civil lawsuit against him.
Cain Velasquez’s Legacy in UFC
Velasquez, now 43, won the UFC heavyweight title by defeating Brock Lesnar in October 2010. He trained at the renowned American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose and made numerous title defenses during his career. Velasquez officially retired from mixed martial arts in 2019.
UFC’s Response
Following his arrest, the UFC publicly supported Velasquez. Dana White, UFC’s CEO, wrote a letter to the court praising him as a “model example” of how professional athletes should conduct themselves.
As Velasquez embarks on this new chapter following his parole release, fans and supporters eagerly await his next moves.
