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Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been handed a five-year prison sentence for a harrowing shooting incident that took place in February 2022. The sentencing occurred on Monday in a Santa Clara County court located in San Jose, California.

Velasquez, who had been on house arrest since November 2022, received credit for 1,283 days already served, indicating he might spend significantly less time behind bars than the full sentence suggests.

Incident Overview

The saga began when Velasquez pursued the pickup truck of a man allegedly involved in the sexual assault of his young son. The accused, Harry Goularte, was driving with his stepfather, Paul Bender, during an intense, 11-mile car chase. In a disturbing turn of events, Velasquez fired multiple rounds from a .40-caliber handgun, but he missed Goularte and instead struck Bender, injuring him in the arm and torso. Authorities arrested Velasquez shortly after the incident without further incident.

Legal Proceedings

In August, Velasquez entered a no contest plea to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and weapons offenses. He openly accepted accountability for his actions in a recent interview on a podcast with former teammate Kyle Kingsbury. “The way I handled things was not the way to do it,” he expressed, emphasizing that vigilante justice is never the answer. “I did something dangerous, not just to those involved but to innocent people too.”

Ongoing Trials

As for Goularte, he is awaiting trial on June 2, facing a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor. He has pleaded not guilty, which means this case is far from over and continues to stir up intense emotions among the public.

Velasquez's Career

Velasquez's career is a striking juxtaposition to the turmoil he faces now. A former UFC star who famously clinched the undisputed heavyweight championship by defeating Brock Lesnar in October 2010, his trajectory took a downward turn after a series of injuries led to his retirement in 2019. Despite the personal trials that followed, the UFC publicly rallied behind Velasquez during his legal battles, with CEO Dana White even writing a letter to the court terming Velasquez a 'model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself.'

Public Impact

This incident raises pressing questions about parental instincts and the boundaries of justice. As the legal proceedings continue for both Velasquez and Goularte, the sports world—and beyond—watches closely. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story, as the repercussions of these events may resonate for years to come.