Joe Rogan recently made a powerful case for freeing former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who was sentenced to five years in prison on March 24, 2025, for a 2022 shooting incident. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience with guest Ilia Topuria on April 16, 2025, Rogan defended Velasquez’s actions, arguing they stemmed from a father’s instinct to protect his child. Velasquez had chased and shot at Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting his four-year-old son at a daycare in San Jose, California, but struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm.
Rogan expressed strong support for Velasquez.
“He did what every father would’ve done. If you’re not a father. You do not understand the murderous rage you’d have if some man molested your baby. If there’s ever a person who could justifiably say, ‘I was temporarily insane,’ it’s a father chasing after someone, especially a man, who molests your boy. Everybody understands it. Everybody understands it. He should’ve never gone to jail. He’s not a threat to society. He’s not a danger,” he said.
Rogan argued that Velasquez, now 42, poses no risk to the public and should not be imprisoned, noting he has served nearly three years.
Call for Justice
Rogan also advocated extreme measures against child abusers.
“Kill them all. That’s how I feel. Kill them all. Anybody wants to do that to children, there’s no reason for them to exist. Yeah, you’re just going to ruin lives – and not just their lives. You’re going to ruin all the people’s lives that they ruin because they’re all f**ked up now,” he said.
He emphasized the lasting harm of such crimes, pointing out that Goularte remains free on bail while awaiting trial on June 2, 2025, for felony lewd acts with a minor.
Velasquez’s case has drawn support from the MMA community. Fighters like Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo, and Michael Bisping have voiced sympathy, arguing his actions were understandable given the allegations against Goularte. Velasquez fired multiple shots from a .40-caliber handgun during an 11-mile high-speed chase, missing Goularte but injuring Bender. Despite the legal consequences, many believe the justice system overlooked the emotional context of the situation.
Velasquez, a two-time UFC heavyweight titleholder, is eligible for parole in March 2026. He has expressed regret for his actions but accepted his punishment. Rogan’s passionate plea highlights the complex emotions surrounding Velasquez’s fight for justice for his son, as the former champion navigates the consequences of that day in February 2022.
