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Cain Velasquez, former UFC heavyweight champion, has been released from a correctional facility in Soledad, California. This development was confirmed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to ABC7 Eyewitness News in San Francisco on Sunday.
Velasquez was handed a five-year prison sentence in 2025 for attempted murder, a ruling that took into account the three years he had already spent in custody while awaiting his sentence. The CDCR highlighted that Velasquez also qualified for credit-earning opportunities during his incarceration, and he has now completed his sentence in full compliance with the law.
The charges against Velasquez stem from a dramatic incident in February 2022. He was accused of opening fire during an intense 11-mile high-speed chase in Morgan Hill, targeting a man named Harry Goularte.
Goularte was accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son at a daycare facility. At the time of the chase, Goularte’s mother, who operates the daycare, and his stepfather were also present in the vehicle. The chase resulted in Goularte’s stepfather being shot and injured.
In the legal proceedings that followed, Goularte faced a felony charge but entered a plea of not guilty.
According to KGO-TV’s media partner, The San Jose Mercury News, Goularte’s case is still pending and court records show a trial setting hearing scheduled for April 15.
Velasquez pleaded no contest in 2024.
Cain Velasquez told the judge during his March 2025 sentencing, he completely agreed with whatever the judge’s sentencing sees fit. He called his actions reckless and dangerous. And said that he was truly sorry.
ABC7 Eyewitness News reached out to his defense attorney, Renee Hessling, and she said, Velazquez is not available for a statement at this time.
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