Earlier this month, before his imprisonment, Cain Velasquez shared his remorse, saying, “From what I can say about myself, the way I handled things was not the right way to do it. We cannot take the law into our own hands,” during an appearance on the Kyle Kingsbury podcast. This acknowledgment came in the wake of the tragic events of February 2022, when the former UFC heavyweight champion took matters into his own hands upon learning that a daycare worker had allegedly molested his son at a daycare operated by the man’s family.

Velasquez confronted him on the streets of Santa Clara, California. And, in a moment of intense anger, fired at his car, unintentionally hitting the culprit’s stepfather. The incident sent shockwaves through the MMA community and affected the lives of everyone involved. This week, the district court announced a five-year prison sentence for Velasquez, with prosecutors labeling it a “vigilante shooting spree.” For the unversed, Velasquez had pleaded no contest to charges of attempted murder, felony assault, and gun charges.

While the anger that led to the shooting may have subsided over time, the incident remains a topic of ongoing debate. Recently, during an episode of ‘Javier & Mo’ on YouTube, ‘Team Khabib’ head coach Javier Mendez discussed Cain Velasquez’s prison sentence. The AKA head honcho shared his stance, saying, “I am not happy with the judgment,” asserting that Velasquez did not deserve five years in prison. However, Mendez also acknowledged that the San Jose native’s actions were “reckless,” and “endangered,” others, noting that Santa Clara Street is near several schools, where any child could have been hurt.

Mendez also revealed an untold aspect of Cain Velasquez’s situation: A brain scan, or EEG, was conducted while he was in custody. “You know, there was a brain scan that was done of him—of himself, I’m sorry—when he was in custody. They did a whole bunch of tests, and they found that Cain had zero impulsivity and was unable to control his emotions under stress like that. So basically, his EEG, they call it, the brain scan of his brain, showed that he could not control it. I was blown away,” Mendez explained.

An EEG, or electroencephalogram, is a diagnostic test that uses electrical waves sent into the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp. This allows doctors to analyze brain activity and understand how neurons communicate with one another. It’s commonly used to identify conditions like epilepsy, seizures, and other neurological disorders.

Cain Velasquez, who has been out of jail since November 2023 and served 1,283 days, is expected to remain in prison for more time, with his attorney revealing that he still faces roughly another year of incarceration. However, the MMA community has voiced differing opinions on the matter.

MMA world shared its unfiltered opinion on Cain Velasquez’s prison sentence

Cain Velasquez has long been a fan favorite throughout his MMA career. However, following the shooting incident, the San Jose native became a symbol for parents who would go to any length to protect their children. When the Santa Clara County court sentenced the former UFC heavyweight champion to five years in prison on Monday, the MMA community breathed a collective sigh of relief, as Velasquez could have faced a much harsher punishment—15 to 20 years—had the shooting involved more innocent bystanders.

In the wake of the court’s decision, UFC legends Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman weighed in on the case. Cejudo emphasized the lengths to which a father would go for their children, stating, “It’s unfortunate, Kamaru, because, you know, obviously, us as parents, bro, we would do anything for our kids, whatever it is that we can do. To the Velasquez family, you know, we’re here, man. The MMA community loves Cain Velasquez…What he was able to do in his prime, dude, before he went through all these crazy injuries, was amazing. A big shoutout to Cain, man.”

Velasquez’s support extends beyond Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman. Former 185lbs champ Luke Rockhold, another teammate from the American Kickboxing Academy, has also shown his backing. Rockhold believes that Velasquez has already paid the price for his “recklessness,” stating, “He’s done his time,” and even urged President Donald Trump to intervene.

What are your thoughts on the former UFC champ’s prison sentence? With good behavior and other factors in play, do you think Velasquez could be released from prison sooner? Share your opinion below.