Cain Velasquez Just Got 5 Years for Shooting at His Son’s Alleged Abuser—Now His Fans Want Trump to Intervene
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison on March 25 for a 2022 incident that sparked national headlines and split public opinion. As The Associated Press reported, Velasquez pled no contest to attempted murder and several felony gun charges after chasing and shooting at a man accused of molesting his then 4-year-old son.
The incident involved an 11-mile car chase in San Jose, California. Velasquez pursued Harry Goularte, who was out on house arrest and on his way to retrieve an ankle monitor, firing multiple rounds into the vehicle carrying Goularte, his mother, and stepfather. Goularte was unharmed, but his stepfather, Paul Bender, was shot in the arm and survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to The Athletic, Velasquez, 42, pled no contest to ten felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm from a vehicle. The sentence includes credit for time already served: nearly one year in jail and two years under house arrest with an ankle monitor.
The Cain Velasquez Case Left a Judge in Tears—and a Community Divided
At sentencing, Judge Arthur Bocanegra became visibly emotional. According to MMA Fighting, he stated: “This is a tragic case. Mr. Velasquez is not a danger to public safety.” Bocanegra also said, “Punishment comes in many ways, and one of the worst is forcing a father to not be present in his child’s life.”
Despite prosecutors pushing for 30 years to life, the judge ruled that “the mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors.” He emphasized Velasquez’s lack of criminal history and his remorse for endangering others.
Velasquez’s attorney, Renee Hessling, called the result “bittersweet,” noting in a statement reported by AP and The Athletic, “He has taken responsibility for his actions and has been held accountable. The sentence handed down today reflects the complexities of the situation and acknowledges the man behind the headlines.”
Cain Velasquez Says He Regrets His Actions—But Stands By His Intentions
In a March 14 episode of the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, Velasquez addressed the incident publicly. “The way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” he said. “We cannot put the law in our own hands.”
He added: “I know what I did, and I know what I did was very dangerous to other people… I’m willing to do anything I have to do to pay that back.” Velasquez said he accepts the court’s decision and emphasized his commitment to healing, adding, “I wish [the Goularte family] healing.”
Velasquez also urged parents to have open conversations with their children about consent and boundaries. “We got to speak to our kids,” he said. “I know we don’t want to bring that into our kids at a young age, but we have to be open and honest.”
The MMA World Rallies Behind Cain Velasquez—and So Does Donald Trump?
Following the verdict, figures from across the MMA world expressed outrage. Yahoo Sports reported that reactions ranged from heartbreak to anger, with many calling the sentence unjust given the circumstances. Now, Velasquez’s supporters are asking for high-level intervention—and some are turning to Donald Trump.
According to MARCA, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is publicly asking the former president to speak out. “He’s done his time,” Rockhold told TMZ Sports. “He’s proved he’s not a threat to society.” While a presidential pardon doesn’t apply to this state-level case, Rockhold believes Trump could raise awareness or apply public pressure.
“He’s done enough,” Rockhold said, referencing Velasquez’s jail time, house arrest, and remorse. Rockhold added that Velasquez recently joined him for a community visit at a children’s hospital, calling his longtime friend “a big teddy bear” and “the nicest guy ever.”
What’s Next for Cain Velasquez and the Man He Targeted?
Harry Goularte, the man at the center of this case, has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of lewd acts with a minor and is scheduled for trial in June 2025, according to The Athletic and Yahoo Sports. Velasquez’s family has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Goularte and the daycare owned by his family.
As for Cain Velasquez, his five-year sentence—with credit for time served—means he could be released in less than two years. After the hearing, he was allowed a brief moment with his family before being remanded into custody, MMA Fighting reported.
Velasquez’s legacy in the UFC—as the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion—is complicated now by this case. But for many in the MMA community, he remains a symbol of a father pushed to the edge.
