Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Released on Parole

Cain Velasquez, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, was released on parole Sunday, February 16, 2026, after serving 11 months in prison, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed to The Athletic [1, 2]. Velasquez, 43, was convicted of attempted murder in 2024 following an incident in February 2022.

The 2022 Incident and Legal Proceedings

Velasquez was arrested after attempting to shoot Harry Goularte Jr., a daycare worker accused of sexually assaulting his 4-year-old son [1], [3]. Goularte was arrested on February 23, 2022, and initially released on bond [2].

While Goularte was en route to have a GPS ankle monitor attached, Velasquez pursued the vehicle carrying Goularte, his stepfather, and his mother, Patricia Goularte, who operated the daycare [2]. Velasquez rammed the vehicle with his truck and then discharged a firearm, but the shots struck Paul Bender, Goularte’s stepfather, causing non-life-threatening injuries [2].

Velasquez initially pleaded not guilty but later pleaded no contest to charges including attempted first-degree murder, shooting at a motor vehicle, assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle [2]. In March 2025, he was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised probation, receiving credit for time already served [2], [4].

Ongoing Legal Matters

Velasquez has a court appearance scheduled for June 3 to determine restitution owed to Bender and the Goulartes [2]. The case against Harry Goularte remains ongoing, with a trial setting conference scheduled for April 15 to determine a trial date [2].

Velasquez and his family have filed a civil case against Goularte, Patricia Goularte, and Bender, alleging negligence and cover-up related to the alleged assaults on his son [2]. A jury trial in this civil case is scheduled for November 9.

Velasquez’s MMA Career

Cain Velasquez rose to prominence in mixed martial arts, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship in October 2010 by defeating Brock Lesnar [3]. He held the title on two separate occasions and retired from MMA in 2019 with a record of 17-3 [3], [4].