One of the greatest fighters in UFC heavyweight history, Cain Velasquez, is headed to prison for the next five years.
The long road that led to the former UFC heavyweight champion’s path to prison began three years ago. After finding out his son was molested by Harry Goularte at a daycare run by his mother, Velasquez went on an 11-mile chase to run the man down and confront him.
During the pursuit, the UFC great fired several rounds from a .40-caliber handgun at the vehicle containing Goularte but ended up hitting Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender in the arm. Bender suffered non-life-threatening injuries. But the incident made headlines and led to Velasquez’s arrests.
After months of waiting for a final verdict, he was sentenced to five years in prison Monday after pleading no contest to various charges. While many of his supporters felt the incident was warranted, he still broke many California laws during the chase. However, while he’s getting a five-year bid, it is still far less than the 30-year sentence the district attorney was seeking.
- Cain Velasquez record: 14-3 (12 knockouts)
Cain Velasquez’s place in UFC history
Cain Velasquez is one of the great heavyweight fighters of all time. After just two MMA fights — both first-round finishes — the prodigy landed a UFC contract in 2008. He would reel off six straight wins inside the Octagon. And earn a title opportunity against heavyweight monster Brock Lesnar in 2010. The Mexican-American needed less than a round to finish the WWE legend to become a UFC champion.
In his next fight, he would suffer a shocking first-round knock loss to Junior dos Santos in the company’s first-ever fight broadcast on national TV. The bout would kick off a legendary rivalry with dos Santos that would see Velasquez win the next two fights.
Injuries were probably Cain Velasquez’s greatest opponent. After beating JDS in their rubber match in 2013, he would compete only three more times over the next six years. To many die-hard UFC fans, the American Kickboxing Academy product is the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time. Because of his outstanding wrestling, good striking, and the best cardio in division history.
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