Cain Velasquez releases first statement following release from prison: ‘It’s good to be out’
The former UFC heavyweight champion took to Instagram with his first statement following his release, which came after he plead no-contest to a variety of charges including premeditated attempted murder after he was arrested back in 2022. Originally sentenced to five years in prison, Velasquez already had time served after spending eight months in jail before being granted bail as well as time spent at home on house arrest.
Velasquez was originally due for parole in March but his release date was bumped up to February due to prisoners being able to earn additional time off for “participating in rehabilitative programming.”
“Now that it’s been a couple weeks since my release I’ve had some time to kind of get back into things, get back into a normal way of life,” Velasquez said. “Get used to just doing the normal things. Being home with the family. Being there for my kids and I just wanted to thank everybody for their love and support. Your words of inspiration, of encouragement, constantly just lifted me up. Myself and my family. I just wanted to take this time to thank everybody for their constant support. You have no idea what your words and your encouragement and your love has meant to me and my family. Just thank you.
“I’ll keep doing the work to get back to everyone. Just for myself now, just slowly get back out there. I didn’t want to overwhelm myself with the pace of life that I was getting used to, to now all of a sudden a new way of life, a new way of living, a new rhythm. For myself, I just kind of had to get used to it and I’ve been doing that. Again, just thank you, thank everyone. It’s good to be out.”
Velasquez was initially arrested after he went on an 11-mile high-speed chase pursuing a car containing Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting the fighter’s son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother. Goularte faces separate charges of his own for child molestation, but after his arrest, he was released on bond against the advice of the prosecution.
That led to the high-speed car chase where Velasquez fired several rounds from a .40-caliber handgun at the vehicle containing Goularte, ultimately striking Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm. Bender sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result.
When the car chase ended, Velasquez was arrested without incident by the Morgan Hill Police Department and hit with a multitude of charges including premeditated attempted murder. Prior to the case going to trial, Velasquez agreed to plead no-contest with Judge Arthur Bocanegra eventually handing down the five-year sentence.
Prior to his time in prison, Velasquez has gotten back to coaching at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. while also making public appearances for speaking engagements as well as professional wrestling performances.
Following his release, Velasquez enjoyed a tearful reunion with his friends and family as he returned home for the first time in nearly a year.
