Tag: Cain Velasquez

Cain Velasquez Sentencing Delayed To March After No-Contest Plea

Cain Velasquez faces another two-month delay before his sentencing hearing wraps up. In August 2024, Velasquez entered a no-contest plea in a California court to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses. The plea deal not only aimed to reduce his sentence but also marked a step toward resolving the prolonged legal […]

Cain Velasquez faces another two-month delay before his sentencing hearing wraps up.

In August 2024, Velasquez entered a no-contest plea in a California court to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses. The plea deal not only aimed to reduce his sentence but also marked a step toward resolving the prolonged legal battle.

Velasquez has found himself at the center of an attempted murder trial following a February 2022 incident. Allegedly, he opened fire on Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting his four-year-old son at the time. The retired mixed martial artist accidentally struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, after a high-speed chase ensued. He sustained injuries that were not considered severe.

According to a recent report from MMA Fighting journalist Damon Martin, a motions hearing for the former UFC heavyweight champion is scheduled for this Friday. However, his sentencing and probation hearing, which was already postponed in October 2024, has now been delayed further to March 24.

The 42-year-old Californian was apprehended by local authorities without resistance at the scene for allegedly firing several rounds from a .40-caliber handgun. In the following months, he faced a slew of charges that kept him behind bars for eight long months, until he was granted bail in November 2022 on a $1 million bond.

Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, a figure with a close friendship to UFC CEO Dana White, many within the MMA community — including Velasquez’s former manager, Ali Abdelaziz — have called on the president on social media to extend a pardon to the former UFC champion.

However, it’s important to note that under U.S. law, Trump can only issue pardons for federal crimes. Since Velasquez’s charges are at the state level, only the Governor of California has the authority to address them.

Earlier this month, Velasquez inked a deal with the newly launched MMA promotion, Global Fight League (GFL), taking on the role of team manager for Team Dubai alongside his longtime head coach, Javier Mendez.

Cain Velasquez’s Sentencing in Attempted Murder Case Pushed Back to March 2025

Cain Velasquez's Sentencing in Alleged Attempted Murder Case Pushed Back to March 2025Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez won’t know his fate until March. In August, Velasquez pleaded no-contest to a…

Cain Velasquez's Sentencing in Alleged Attempted Murder Case Pushed Back to March 2025

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez won’t know his fate until March.

In August, Velasquez pleaded no-contest to a series of charges including premeditated attempted murder, felony assault charges, and other related gun charges after he was arrested back in 2022 following a high-speed chase where he allegedly fired several rounds from a handgun at a car containing Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s son at a daycare owned by his mother.

Velasquez faces a potential penalty anywhere from probation to life in prison.

A motions hearing for Velasquez is still on the docket for Friday, January 24 but his sentencing and probation hearing is now scheduled for March 24.

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Velasquez was arrested on February 28, 2022, after he allegedly fired several rounds from a .40-caliber handgun at a vehicle containing Goularte. Instead, a bullet struck Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender who was operating the vehicle at the time of the incident. Following the chase, Velasquez was arrested by the Morgan Hill Police Department without incident.

He remained behind bars for eight months after being denied bail multiple times.

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Finally, in November 2022, Velasquez was released on a $1 million bond. He promptly returned to coaching at American Kickboxing Academy and has also made multiple appearances at professional wrestling events.

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Recently Velasquez signed a deal with the Global Fight League to coach the Dubai team alongside his longtime head coach and AKA founder Javier Mendes.

Harry Goularte scheduled for June trial date after allegedly molesting Cain Velasquez’s son

On January 8, Harry Goularte was given a June 2 jury trial date by Judge Benjamin Williams of Santa Clara County in California. He’s facing one felony count of lewd acts with a minor after he was accused of molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son.

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Williams also ordered that Goularte must appear in person for his jury trial. He has been out on bail with GPS monitoring since his initial arrest nearly three years ago.

Cain Velásquez Highlights Clear Weakness Jon Jones Can Exploit Against Tom Aspinall

Cain Velásquez will always be known as one of the best heavyweights that we have ever seen in MMA. Whilst injuries may have held him back at points, the former two-time UFC champion is one of the most well-rounded competitors in the history of his weight class. At the top of the sport right now, […]

Cain Velásquez will always be known as one of the best heavyweights that we have ever seen in MMA. Whilst injuries may have held him back at points, the former two-time UFC champion is one of the most well-rounded competitors in the history of his weight class.

At the top of the sport right now, a UFC heavyweight title fight might be the most desired contest that is out there with fans and fellow fighters still clamouring for Jon Jones to face Tom Aspinall in a unification clash. In one corner, you have the consensus greatest of all time whilst in the other, you’ve got the man that many believe is the best fighter in his weight class right now.

One of the biggest talking points surrounding this fight has been whether the Brit has the experience to beat someone like Jones who has been at the highest level for an incredible amount of time. Velásquez, however, believes that it is Aspinall’s predictability that would cost him in this potential matchup.

The interim champion is known for finishing opponents quickly with his lighting fast speed and one-punch power which makes it so difficult for opponents to deal with his timing. Velásquez recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show where he said that whilst Aspinall is incredibly effective at what he does, he believes that it is easy to predict meaning someone like Jones will be able to counter this inside the Octagon.

“I don’t think he [beats Jones],” Velasquez said of Aspinall. “Me just watching him, I kind of see his pattern a little bit, and his striking — the way he comes in and strikes. I think Jon sees it too. I think with that, just because, again, Jon, he studies, man. He does his homework. He’s a master at this. He analyzes things. He studies you over and over again. I think just for that reason, he’s going to know what to do. So I don’t think [Aspinall] beats Jon.

“Everybody has a pattern, right? There’s a fight pattern,” Velasquez continued. “Some people disguise it better than others. The simple fact is the way Tom comes in and fights, he does have a pattern that’s somewhat easier to find. He comes in and strikes. And I think you know what we’re talking about — a lot of things come with that. It’s disguising your pattern. It’s throwing fakes here and there before. But when he comes in to attack, he comes in and attacks. It’s 100% full go. He comes in, glides in, lunges in and does his attack. Again, not that it’s not effective — it is. He’s done great things with it. But I think with the type of guy that Jon Jones is, I think he studies him, and he beats him because of that.”

Cain Velasquez Signs As Global Fight League Team Manager Weeks Before Sentencing For Attempted Murder Charge

Cain Velasquez is now set to channel his fighting spirit into a managerial role with one of the newest MMA organizations on the scene. On Friday, the Global Fight League (GFL) revealed in an official statement that former UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez has signed on with the promotion as a team manager. Accompanying him in […]

Cain Velasquez is now set to channel his fighting spirit into a managerial role with one of the newest MMA organizations on the scene.

On Friday, the Global Fight League (GFL) revealed in an official statement that former UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez has signed on with the promotion as a team manager. Accompanying him in this venture is his trusted associate, the esteemed American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez, who will take on the role of head coach for Velasquez’s team.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment, as Velasquez is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 24 for sentencing related to attempted murder charges. In August 2024, he entered a no-contest plea in a California court to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses arising from a February 2022 altercation.

The 42-year-old Californian is facing allegations of firing several shots at Harry Goularte, who was allegedly involved in molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son. In the chaos of the high-speed pursuit, Velasquez struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, instead.

Velasquez was arrested without resistance by local authorities and, due to the severity of the charges, spent eight months in incarceration. He was eventually granted bail in November 2022, set at a $1 million bond.

GFL is set to make its debut in April, though the exact date remains under wraps. Unlike traditional formats, GFL introduces a league-based structure with playoffs, offering a fresh approach by incorporating a team-oriented format, unlike the PFL’s individual-centric model.

The promotion has already signed an impressive roster of over 300 fighters, many of whom are well-known names from major organizations like the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. Notable fighters such as Paige VanZant, Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, and other prominent figures will headline the action.

Cain Velasquez Signs As Global Fight League Team Manager Weeks Before Sentencing For Attempted Murder Charge

Cain Velasquez is now set to channel his fighting spirit into a managerial role with one of the newest MMA organizations on the scene. On Friday, the Global Fight League (GFL) revealed in an official statement that former UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez has signed on with the promotion as a team manager. Accompanying him in […]

Cain Velasquez is now set to channel his fighting spirit into a managerial role with one of the newest MMA organizations on the scene.

On Friday, the Global Fight League (GFL) revealed in an official statement that former UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez has signed on with the promotion as a team manager. Accompanying him in this venture is his trusted associate, the esteemed American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez, who will take on the role of head coach for Velasquez’s team.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment, as Velasquez is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 24 for sentencing related to attempted murder charges. In August 2024, he entered a no-contest plea in a California court to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses arising from a February 2022 altercation.

The 42-year-old Californian is facing allegations of firing several shots at Harry Goularte, who was allegedly involved in molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son. In the chaos of the high-speed pursuit, Velasquez struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, instead.

Velasquez was arrested without resistance by local authorities and, due to the severity of the charges, spent eight months in incarceration. He was eventually granted bail in November 2022, set at a $1 million bond.

GFL is set to make its debut in April, though the exact date remains under wraps. Unlike traditional formats, GFL introduces a league-based structure with playoffs, offering a fresh approach by incorporating a team-oriented format, unlike the PFL’s individual-centric model.

The promotion has already signed an impressive roster of over 300 fighters, many of whom are well-known names from major organizations like the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. Notable fighters such as Paige VanZant, Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, and other prominent figures will headline the action.

Cain Velasquez’s Sentencing Delayed Until 2025 After No-Contest Plea

Cain Velasquez can take some comfort for now, as his sentencing has been postponed until 2025. Velasquez pleaded no contest in a California court this past August to charges of felony attempted murder, assault, and several other weapons-related offenses. The plea deal, aimed at securing a reduced sentence, also brought some closure to the ongoing […]

Continue Reading Cain Velasquez’s Sentencing Delayed Until 2025 After No-Contest Plea at MMA News.

Cain Velasquez can take some comfort for now, as his sentencing has been postponed until 2025.

Velasquez pleaded no contest in a California court this past August to charges of felony attempted murder, assault, and several other weapons-related offenses. The plea deal, aimed at securing a reduced sentence, also brought some closure to the ongoing case.

As reported by MMA journalist Damon Martin, the court announced during a sentencing hearing on Friday that the proceedings will be postponed until early next year, with the specific date yet to be determined.

The former UFC heavyweight champion was embroiled in an attempted murder trial stemming from a February 2022 incident in which he reportedly fired multiple shots at Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting his then-four-year-old son. Instead, Velasquez inadvertently struck the man’s stepfather, Paul Bender, following a high-speed car chase.

Velasquez allegedly fired several rounds at the vehicle using a .40-caliber handgun. However, rather than striking his intended target, he hit Bender in the arm, causing injuries that were not life-threatening.

After the car chase came to an end, Velasquez was taken into custody without resistance by the local police department. He faced a series of charges that kept him incarcerated for eight months before he was finally granted bail in November 2022 on a $1 million bond.

After a remarkable career in the UFC that included two reigns as heavyweight champion, Velasquez announced his retirement from the promotion in October 2019. His final professional MMA bout ended in a swift 26-second knockout defeat to Francis Ngannou during a UFC Fight Night event in February 2019.

Continue Reading Cain Velasquez’s Sentencing Delayed Until 2025 After No-Contest Plea at MMA News.