“Nobody is going to think of law or something when you have something about your family. You have to protect your family.” These words from MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov came in reflection of the actions taken by two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. On February 28, 2022, Velasquez took matters into his own hands, shooting at Harry Goularte Jr. on a busy street in Santa Clara, California. Goularte, who had allegedly abused the UFC vet’s son at a daycare run by the Goularte family.

The incident sent shockwaves through the MMA community, marking the first time in UFC history that a fighter used violent force to confront a criminal—a criminal who had been previously arrested multiple times for child abuse. The gravity of the situation deepened when it was revealed that Cain Velasquez’s son was allegedly victimized by Goularte at the daycare, sparking widespread support for the Mexican-American within the MMA world. As Velasquez’s case continued to develop, he pled no contest during his October 2024 trial, on charges of attempted murder, assault, and gun offenses.

By pleading no contest, he neither admitted nor contested the charges, which resulted in his sentencing being pushed back until “early next year.” That day has finally arrived—March 24, 2025—and Cain Velasquez’s sentencing will conclude today in a San Jose courtroom. Last week, during an interview on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, the 42-year-old Salinas native reflected on the incident and expressed regret for his actions.

He acknowledged his remorse for the way he handled the situation, saying, “From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it. We cannot put the law in our own hands… So whatever the court feels correct for what I have to do, I’m going to do it with my head up and still be me, and not play the blame game. It was me that did that and reacted in that way.”

Under California law, attempted murder is considered a felony and carries severe penalties, typically ranging from 5 to 9 years in prison. In some circumstances, the sentence could be extended to life in prison with the possibility of parole, depending on factors such as “mens rea” (the intent to commit the crime). For assault charges, penalties usually range from 2 to 4 years, though if bodily injury is involved, the prison sentence may increase to a mandatory 4-year term. Gun offenses typically carry a minimum sentence of 3 years in prison.

One certainty is that Cain Velasquez’s punishment will be finalized soon. However, the outcome may be influenced by factors such as the plea deal and public sentiment surrounding the case. Given that the Brazilian-American’s actions were fueled by a moment of intense anger after his son was harmed, a sentence in the range of 7 to 15 years seems a reasonable prediction. Additionally, Velasquez has expressed his thoughts on forgiveness in the wake of the incident.

Cain Velasquez forgave the family of the perpetrator’s family

During the shootout, the bullet missed Harry Goularte but struck his family members, including his stepfather, who was in the car with Goularte’s alleged stepmother and mother. The incident occurred near an elementary school, where children and parents were present, prompting authorities to take strict action against Cain Velasquez. His bail was set at $1 million, and he was placed under GPS monitoring. Now, years later, the Mexican-American has found peace through forgiveness, redirecting his focus to his children and family.

In a recent interview on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, Cain Velasquez spoke candidly about his journey toward forgiveness: “With time, I’ve forgiven them,” he shared. “I know that my kids are incredible. Everything is divinely orchestrated. My son is amazing — one of the strongest, most remarkable kids I know. He’s my best friend, and I’m so proud of who he is. This will not define him; he’s meant for greater things. I can’t harbor hate for them. There are things I need to move on from, so I can give love to my kids and those around me. I wish them healing in the best way possible.”

With the trial now approaching, all eyes are on Cain Velasquez. Do you think public opinion, along with support from figures like Dana White, could influence the outcome of his sentencing? Share your thoughts below.