Cain Velasquez Released on Parole After Serving Time in Shooting Case

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was released on parole from a California state prison on Sunday, February 15, 2026, after serving 11 months of a five-year sentence, his agent Mike Fonseca confirmed to ESPN [1].

Background of the Case

Velasquez pleaded no contest in March 2025 to charges related to a shooting incident that occurred in February 2022. He received credit for 1,283 days served prior to sentencing [1]. The charges stemmed from Velasquez chasing and shooting at the vehicle of Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son. Goularte’s father, who was in the vehicle, was also injured during the 11-mile pursuit [1].

Velasquez was initially granted $1 million bail and placed on house arrest in November 2022 [1]. Goularte continues to face a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor, and Velasquez has filed a civil case against him [1].

Velasquez’s MMA Career

Velasquez won the UFC heavyweight championship by defeating Brock Lesnar in October 2010. He competed extensively, training out of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, before retiring from mixed martial arts in 2019 [1].

UFC Support

Following his arrest, the UFC publicly supported Velasquez, with CEO Dana White submitting a letter to the court describing him as a “model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself” [1].