Cain Velasquez faces sentencing today. On The Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, aired days before March 24, 2025, the former UFC heavyweight champ spoke about his 2022 shooting case. He took responsibility, forgave those involved, and focused on his kids.
Velasquez Takes Responsibility
Velasquez owned his actions.
“From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” he told Kyle Kingsbury, as reported by MMA Fighting on March 24, 2025. “We cannot put the law in our own hands. I already pled [no-contest] so I’m going to get a sentencing [on Monday], and I know what I did. I know what I did was very dangerous towards other people, not just to people involved, but to just innocent people. I understand what I did, and I’m willing to do everything I have to pay back that.” He’s braced for today’s ruling.
The 2022 Shooting
On February 28, 2022, Velasquez chased Harry Goularte in Morgan Hill, California, after Goularte allegedly molested his son at a daycare. Velasquez fired at Goularte’s truck, wounding Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm and chest. Arrested that day, he faced attempted murder and gun charges. He spent eight months in jail, got bail on November 8, 2022, and pled no contest on August 16, 2024, per Santa Clara County court records.
Moving Past Anger
Velasquez has let go of resentment.
“Again, for me, I can’t be stuck on any place,” he said on the podcast, per MMA Fighting. “Even with that family, with what they’ve done, I can’t have hate like that for them because there’s things that I have to move on to, and give love to my kids, and give love to the people around. I have to share this with everybody. So I can’t give hate to them at all. I wish them healing in the best way, whatever that is. I understand they all have traumas, as well. It’s not right to spread it.” He’s chosen peace.
Strength in His Kids
His children keep him going.
“With my own time, I’ve forgiven them and everything else, and I know my kids are great,” he said, via MMA Fighting. “My son is amazing, he’s one of the strongest, funniest kids that I know. He’s my best friend, I’m proud of him, of who he is, and this will not define him. He’s meant for greater, and my daughter as well. They’re both meant for great things, and I’m just like, ‘I’m so blessed to live this life with you. You help me, I help you. It’s not like I’m just teaching you, you’re teaching me. I’m just f*cking loving being with you at this moment. This is sacred.’” They’re his anchor.
Velasquez aims to help others.
“What I did was not correct, I understand that,” he told Kingsbury, per MMA Fighting. “I paid, and I’ll pay whatever else as far as what I have to do to pay all that back. I don’t think I can pay that back, but I can always learn from my mistakes and help others. It’s just information that you never know anybody. Trust your kids, have that open communication with your kids. The more we get consciously aware of ourselves, the more the light shines on dark things, especially like that.” He’s turning regret into advice.
Sentencing Today
Today, March 24, 2025, Velasquez faces sentencing in Santa Clara County Superior Court. His no-contest plea to attempted murder and 10 firearm counts carries up to eight years, though 245 days served might trim it, per court records.
“I’m going to do it with my head up and still be me, and not play the blame game,” he said.
His UFC past (14-3, champ 2010-2012) is behind him, family is his focus now.
