Cain Velasquez is officially a free man. The former UFC heavyweight champion secured his release from prison on Sunday after serving 10 months behind bars. Velasquez had been housed at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad following his no-contest plea to multiple charges, including attempted murder, stemming from his 2022 arrest.
Velasquez was originally eligible for parole in March, but officials moved that date up to February. Inmates can reduce their sentences by participating in rehabilitative programming, which played a role in his earlier release. His attorney, Renee Hessling, confirmed the news.
The 43-year-old Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison. However, the court credited him with 1,283 days already served, which included extensive time in county jail before he was granted bail, along with a period under house arrest as the case unfolded.
The case dates back to 2022, when Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile high-speed chase targeting a vehicle carrying Harry Goularte. Goularte had been accused of molesting Velasquez’s son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother. Although Goularte faced felony charges, a judge released him on bond against the prosecution’s recommendation.
During the pursuit, Velasquez fired multiple rounds from a .40-caliber handgun into the vehicle. One bullet struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm. Bender sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities arrested Velasquez without incident once the chase ended. He then remained behind bars for eight months before securing bail.
Prosecutors initially sought a sentence of 30 years to life. Judge Arthur Bocanegra ultimately imposed a five-year term, factoring in the time Velasquez had already served.
Before reporting to prison in March 2025, Velasquez returned to coaching at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose. He also made appearances at professional wrestling events with court approval.
Now, 10 months later, Velasquez’s incarceration has ended. Video circulating online shows Velasquez being greeted by family members and even a mariachi band upon his release.
Still, Velasquez’s legal matters are not fully resolved. He is scheduled to return to court on March 18 for a restitution hearing that has been delayed several times. Under California law, victims of violent crimes are entitled to financial restitution from the convicted individual. The court has yet to determine how much Velasquez may be ordered to pay.
Even before his release, at least one fight promotion publicly expressed interest in his future.
“Dirty Boxing Championship will offer a multi-fight contract to Cain Velasquez to fight as soon as he’s free,” the promotion posted on X.
Velasquez has also received strong public support from longtime friend and training partner Daniel Cormier, who previously reflected on the emotional toll of the situation.
“He went to jail for a while, it was the saddest thing,” Cormier said. “I would go [to jail], sit with him, and the things we spoke about. It was so crazy because to me, he was the reason I knew I could be a world champ.
Because out of our gym, he made it possible to dream that big. Watching the way he worked, watching how committed he was to becoming the best in the world. I knew that I could be the best…”
For now, Velasquez begins the next chapter of his life outside prison walls. What that chapter looks like, whether it involves coaching, competition, or something entirely different, remains to be seen.
